This is a reproduction of a library book that was digitized
by Google as part of an ongoing effort to preserve the
information in books and make it universally accessible.
Google" books
http://books.google.com
Digitized by L^OOQle
Digitized by
Digitized by
Digitized by L^ooQle
Digitized by
3be Scottish Cert Society
THE POEMS
OF
ROBERT HENRYSON
Digitized by
Digitized by
THE POEMS
OF
ROBERT HENRYSON
EDITED BY
G. GREGORY SMITH
VOL. II.
(Text — Vol. I.)
IShtntei for tfje Soctetg tig
WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS
EDINBURGH AND LONDON
1906
All Rights reserved
Digitized by L^OOQle
Digitized by
CONTENTS OF VOLUME II.
PREFATORY NOTE
TABLE OF THE TEXTS
TEXTS OF THE FABLES .
LIST OF FACSIMILES.
I. TITLE-PAGE OF CHARTERIS’S EDINBURGH
EDITION OF THE FABLES , I 570 (BRITWELL
COURT) .
II. TITLE-PAGE OF HARL'EIAN MS. NO. 3865
(BRITISH MUSEUM)
III. HARLEIAN MS. NO. 3865, FOL. $b .
IV. HARLEIAN MS. NO. 3865, FOL. 43 b .
Digitized by
PAGE
. vii
. xix
. 1-327
to face p. viii
to face p. x
to face p. 7
to face p. 121
Google
Digitized by
PREFATORY NOTE.
This volume, the first of the text of The Poems of
Robert Henryson, contains all the early versions of the
Fables . The next volume (Vol. III.) will include the
texts of the Orpheus , the Testament of Cresseid \ and
the Shorter Poems. Vol. I., containing the General In-
troduction and other matter, will appear last. By this
order of publication scholars who are anxious to have
the texts for their own purposes are not compelled to
wait the pleasure of the editor in the preparation of his
Introduction ; and the editor, in turn, will have the advan-
tage of considering fresh problems raised in the discussion
of the ampler material now presented.
The earliest texts of the Fables are derived from five
sources : —
I. The Edinburgh edition published in 1570 by Robert
Lekpreuik for Henry Charteris (known as ‘Charteris* in
this edition).
Title-page.— JHoratt jFa&tlltg | of (Esope tfje 3Pf)rggt= |
an, (tompglrt in (Bloqntnl, ani> ©malt Stoitb | Ptltr, ht
Pawter Robert gjmisont, | SSt^olemaisler of §lan - 1 ftrmtling. |
VOL. II. b
Digitized by
Google
viii PREFATORY NOTE.
[Type ornament ] | IT Dulcius Arrident Sena Picta Iocis. |
U Vt Naufragij leuamen est Portus, Ita Tranquillitas
animi, seu Iucunditas, est quasi Vitae Portus. | ft
KmprCtXtit | at 6binlrorg{f, bt ^Lobert 'gtkpmk, at t{j* 1
pmis rf jpmu (tjfarterig : mb ar to bt | gaulb in (jig gttitjj,
on tfye ggbe | of % gait, abont fyt | Anno. Do.
M. D. LXX. | [Type ornament at head and foot of page.]
(See the facsimile > facing p. viii in this volume .)
Colophon. — ft Imprentit at Edin- | burgh be Robert Lekpreuik,
at the Expensis of | Henrie Charteris, the xvi day of
Decern- | ber: the 3eir of God ane thousand | fyue
hundreth, thre scoir, | Nyne 3eiris. |
Collation. — Ai a Title. i b The Taillis contenit in the present
Buke. Aij-N4 a The Fabillis of Esope. N4 b blank. 52
folios.
The volume is a small quarto, printed in black-letter.
The only known copy, which was purchased by the
late Mr William Henry Miller of Craigentinny, near
Edinburgh, is preserved in the library at Britwell Court,
Bucks. In the preface to the Maitland Club reprint of
Hart’s edition of 1621, and again in Laing’s edition of
Henryson (1865), p. 264, it is stated that a copy of this
edition was sold in 1695 at the dispersal of Sir Andrew
Balfour’s collection (Catalogue, p. 113). Laing records
(u.s., p. 264) that he had seen, “not many years since,”
a copy in private hands in Edinburgh.
II. Harleian MS. 3865, British Museum (known as
i Harleian ’ in this edition).
Title-page (MS.), on the verso of fol. 1, facing the Prolog. — The
morall fabillis of | Esope compylit be | maister Robert
He«risoun | Scolmaister of Du n- \ fermling: | 1571. |
(1 See the facsimile , facing p. x of this volume .)
Digitized by L^ooQle
t£i)e $lo2all jfabtUis:
m tbpc t!jc
an, Ct^Pi’lK *n Eloquent* ant) Innate &cotu0
rafter , be £©aiftrr tiobrn l^mnfone,
&>cbolemat8er of SButi*
fermeimg.
'•I
S
- ' -•■** t
C Dukfas Arrident Seri* Pi<fta Ions*
^Vt U-wVagij icnaracn eft pQjrtv*rfai-Tfr ■••’uillitaj
anifl» ; - IV*. Iucundit’5. elt quail V;t* Pcrtui,
*M r ' *»
‘Jmp’tnftt
at <£i)tnburgf), be ttobm Xeftpteurt, af fbe
penfis of l^enrte tCbaiterte : anD ac to be
faults m bis Suittuon tb* 0otrb froe
of tbt sat: , aboue ti }t Cbtone,
teA N N o. DO. M. D. L X X f
' SSS SS $8 83 S3
POEMS OF ROBERT HENRYSON
VOL. II
SCOTTISH TEXT SOCIETY
Title-page of the Charteris Edition, 1570
(Britwell Court)
Digitized by Google
Digitized by L^ooQle
PREFATORY NOTE.
IX
The MS., which is written on paper (19 cm. x 28.5
cm.), extends to 75 folios, and contains 2968 lines. There
are generally three stanzas, or from 19 to 25 lines on
each page. The title-page, tailpiece, illustrations on
ff. 3b and 43b (see the facsimiles facing pp. 7 and 12 1 of
this volume), and 14 initial letters have been coloured,
in a very crude way, probably by a later hand. The
binding of the volume is modern.
The MS. is described by Laing, u.s.> pp. 228 and 2 66,
and by Ward, Catalogue of Romances in the British
Museum , ii. pp. 354-356.
III. The Makculloch MS., in the Library of the Uni-
versity of Edinburgh (Laing MSS. No. 149), and known
as ‘Makculloch* in this edition.
The Manuscript proper consists of Latin notes on logic
by Magnus Makculloch (or Iohannis de Tayn), a Scots
student at Louvain in 1477. The volume appears to have
been in the hands of I. Purde, who may have been the
scribe of the vernacular pieces on the blank pages. There
are several of Henryson’s poems on these pages. The
extract from the Fables is written on the front fly-leaves.
The MS. was acquired by Dr David Laing in 1854,
and was bequeathed by him to the University of Edin-
burgh. A description of the MS. will be found in the
editor’s Specimens of Middle Scots (1902), pp. lxvii-lxix.
IV. The Bannatyne MS. (1568) in the Advocates’
Library, Edinburgh (MSS. 1. 1. 6), and known as ‘Ban-
natyne’ in this edition.
The MS. has been reprinted by the Hunterian Club
(1873-1902). The Fables will be found in Vol. IV. (1896).
V. A transcript by William Gibb, for George Chalmers,
made in 1810 from the Asloan MS. (early sixteenth
Digitized by L^ooQle
X
PREFATORY NOTE.
century), and known as the ‘Asloan- Chalmers’ in this
edition.
An account of the Asloan MS., based on notes made
during an examination of the MS. when it was deposited
in the British Museum (about fifteen years ago), is
given in Specimens of Middle Scots y u.s. f pp. lxx-lxxii.
The MS. appears to have contained the following fables
by Henryson : (32) The fablis of Esope : and first of pe
paddok and the mouft ; (33) The preching of pe swallow ;
(34) pe lyoun & the mouft ; (35) Chanticler and pe fox ;
(36) pe tod and J >e wolf ; (37) pe parliament of bestis ;
(42) pe tale of pe uplandis mouft and the borrowstoufi
mouft. All, except the last, have been lost by the
mutilation of the MS.
It is matter for regret that Lord Talbot de Malahide,
to whom the MS. passed, in 1882, from the collection at
Auchinleck, has declined to give the Scottish Text
Society, and several independent workers in this country
and abroad, permission to examine its pages. The text
of the Tale of the Two Mice printed in this volume is
taken from the Chalmers Transcripts preserved among
the Laing MSS. in the Library of the University of
Edinburgh (Laing MSS. 450*, ff. 236-240).
Of these sources, I.-V., the Charteris print and the
Harleian MS. give us what may be accepted as Henry-
son’s complete text of the Fables and the original order
of composition. The Bannatyne MS., though in some
respects of great importance, is a selection of ten fables,
made without regard to the place of each in the whole
work. The Makculloch and Asloan -Chalmers texts are
only fragments. The accompanying table of the con-
Digitized by L^ooQle
Digitized by L^OOQle
PREFATORY NOTE.
XI
tents of these texts (pp. xx, xxi) will serve as a key
to the arrangement in this volume. Discussion of the
relationship of the texts to each other is reserved for
the first volume.
It is not unlikely that the Fables were printed by
Chepman and Myllar, who issued Henryson’s Orpheus
and two of his shorter poems (see Vol. III.) ; but evidence
of this is at present entirely wanting. The later reprints
of the Fables , subsequent to the Charteris and Harleian
texts of 1569-1570 and 1571, may be thus briefly
described : —
Editions.
1. The Fabulous tales of | Esope the Phrygian, Compiled | moste
eloquently in Scottishe | Metre by Master Robert | Henri-
son, & now lately \ Englished. | Every tale Moralized
most aptly to | this present time, worthy | to be read. |
\Ornament ; with Motto — Occulta Veritas Tempora patet] |
Imprinted at London by | Richard Smith. | Anno 1577.
A copy of this edition was seen by Dr David Laing
in the Library of Sion College (Press mark E B ix. 40).
It had disappeared from that collection before 1864-5,
when Laing was preparing his edition of the Poems. All
efforts to trace it have been unavailing. Laing has given,
in the Introduction to his edition of Henryson, the follow-
ing description of “ this little black volume ” which he had
written in his “ younger days ” before the book had gone
astray.
“Title, 4 leaves, and A to H2 in eights, pp. 115 in sm.
8vo, black-letter.
On the back of the title are two twelve-line stanzas, in
short metre, entitled, The Bookes Passport, —
‘ That man neare wrote
Whose wryte pleasd all mens mynd,’ &c.
followed by Smith’s dedication ‘To Mr Richard Stonely,
Digitized by L^ooQle
xii
PREFATORY NOTE.
Esquire, one of the foure tellers of the Q. Maiesties receyt
of the Eschecker/ &c., by R. S. : —
‘There came/ he says, ‘unto my hande a Scottishe
pamphlet of the Fabulous Tales of Esope, a worke, Sir,
as I thinke, in that language wherein it was written, verie
eloquent and full of great invention. And no doubt you
shall finde some smatch thereof, although very rudely I
have obscured the authour, and having two yeres since
turned it into Englishe, I have kept it unpublished, hoping
some one els of greater skill would not have let it lyen dead.
But whether most men have that Nation in derision for their
hollowe hearts and ungratefull mindes to this Countrey
alwayes had (a people very subject to that infection), or
thinking scorne of the authour or first inventer, let it passe,
as frivolous and vaine matter : yet in my conceite there
is learning for all sorts of people worthie of the memorie.
Therefore, knowing not howe by any meanes to let you
understand my good will towarde you, but by this meanes,
at last putting all feare aside, I boldly presente this unto
your worship, hoping, &c. — Yours at commandement.
Richard Smith/
On the next leaf are ‘The Contentes of the Booke after
which is subjoined The Argument between Esope and
THE TRANSLATOUR.
Late passing thorowe Paules Churchyarde
Aside I cast mine eye,
And ere I wist, to me appearde
Sir Esope by and by,
Apparelled both braue and fine,
After the Scottish guise.
I stoode then still, with ardent eyne
I viewde him twise or thrise.
‘ Behold, ’ quoth he, ‘ now am I here,
And faine would meete some one
To speake English that would me leare.’
With that quoth I anone :
‘ Why, English, Sir, you speake right well —
What more would you require ? *
‘Yea, that’s in prose : my tales to tell
In verse I do desire.’
‘ Alasse ! I am not for your tourne ;
Ye must repayre unto
The Innes of Court and Chancery,
Where learned have to do.
At Helicon I never came —
The way I do not knowe ;
(God Pan his servant, Sir, I am,
And duetie to him owe).
Digitized by
Google
PREFATORY NOTE.
XUl
On oaten pipe we still do play, —
That’s all that he teach can ;
Of other lore he takes no way
This Growtnole rusticke Pan.
Minervas impes they Orpheus keepe,
In musicke they delite,
To serve your tume before they sleepe,
In verse to make you dite,
Your Fables wise and eloquent
With phrases feate and fine,
Endewed with Apollo gent
That passeth muse of mine.’
‘Content your selfe,’ quoth Esope than,
‘ Do thus much once for me,
To leame me verse so as ye can
Myselfe as playne as ye ;
They do not care for Scottish bookes, —
They list not looke that way :
But if they would but cast their lookes
Some time when they do play,
Somewhat to see perhaps they might
That then would like them wel,
To teach them treade thair way aright,
To blisse, from paines of hel. ’
‘ Farewel, good Phrygian Poet, now,
I may no more sojourne.’
‘ If not,’ sayth Esope, ‘ then adew,
Into Scotland Fie returne.’
‘ Nay, rather will I venture hard
And bring your minde to passe,
If that I gaine to my rewarde
King Midas eares of asse,
And have a thousand ill reports
Still tumbling downe on me,
Than this to want unto all sorts
And view of every eye.*
Wherefore have here, good Reader, now,
My rurall skillesse skill ;
I aske no more but this of you, —
One ynche of your good will :
Which it to grant as I do crave,
That’s even as much as I would have.
His Verdict on his Labour.
Orpheus once did walke abrode
’Mong fragrant flowers t’encrease his glee,
To set his harpe in one accorde
In tune to make his strings agree,
Whereby was heard such pleasant sounde
That all the woodes thereof rebound.
And playing thus in pleasant shade,
Wild beastes and men to him did come ;
With musicke strayte them stones he made,
His gift was such, them to transforme.
He fell a sleepe, and or he wooke,
In hand a while his harpe I tooke.
Digitized by L^ooQle
XIV
PREFATORY NOTE.
This Scottish Orpheus I meane,
That Esops tales hath made to gree
In Rethoricke both trim and cleane,
That all my wittes bereft hath hee.
His harpe, alas ! I make to jarre,
And both his name and mine do marre ;
But since I made them disagree,
Leave me the blame, the Laurel he.
The contents of the volume are as follows : —
The Argument or Prologue.
'Though fayned Fables of auncient poetry,* p. i, 9 stanzas of
7 lines each.
The tale of the Grosshead, Chauntcleare the Cock, and
precious Stone, p. 3.
‘ A cock sometime with feathers fresh and gay,' 8 stanzas of 7
lines. The Morall, p. 5, 6 stanzas, * This gentle Jasp,’ &c.
The prety tale of the playne countrey Mouse, and deyntie
towne Mouse, p. 7.
‘ Esope mine Author maketh mention,’ 29 stanzas ; Moralitie,
p. 14, 'Frendes ye may finde,’ &c., 4 stanzas.
The pleasant tale of the Cock and the Foxe, how wyly
beguyles himselfe.
‘ Though brutall beasts be irrationall,* 27 stanzas ; Moralitie,
p. 23, * Now worthie folke,’ &c., 4 stanzas.
The pleasant tale howe this false dissembling Tod made
his confession to the hypocrite fryer Wolfe Waytskayth.
' Leaving this wydow glad I you assure,' p. 24, 23 stanzas ;
Moralitie, p. 30, ‘This sudden death,* &c., 3 stanzas.
The Retoricall tale of the sonne and heyre of the foresayd
Foxe called Father Wars, also the Parlement of foure footed
Beastes, holden by the Lyon, p. 31.
‘This foresayd Foxe, that dide for his misdeeds,' 42 stanzas;
Moralitie, p. 42, ‘Ryght as the myner,' &c., 7 stanzas.
The wofull tale of the playntif Dogge, agaynst the poore
Sheepe, before Justice Wolfe, p. 44.
‘Esope a tale puts in memory,’ 16 stanzas; Moralitie, p. 49,
‘ This selly sheepe,’ &c., 9 stanzas.
The exemplative tale of the Lion and the Mouse; with
the Author’s Prologue before, p. 51.
The prologue, p. 51, ‘In mids of June that sweete season,' &c.,
contains 12 stanzas. The Tale, p. 54, ‘A lion at his pray
was overrunne,’ 24 stanzas ; Moralitie, p. 60, 'As I suppose,’
&c., 7 stanzas.
Digitized by L^ooQle
PREFATORY NOTE.
XV
The notable tale of the preaching of the Swallow, p. 62.
* The hie prudence and working marvellous,’ 38 stanzas ; Moral -
itie, p. 72, * Lo ! worthy folke,’ 9 stanzas.
The mery tale of the Wolf that wold haue had the
Neckhering, through the wyles of the Foxe, that beguiled
the Carrier, p. 77.
‘Whylom there wound in a wildernes,’ 36 stanzas; Moralitie,
p. 84, ‘This tale is mingled/ &c., 4 stanzas.
The excellent tale of the wyly Laurence Foxe thatbeguylde
the covetous crafty Wolfe, with the shadow of the Moon,
p. 86.
* In elder dayes as Esope can declare,’ 28 stanzas ; Moralitie,
‘The Wolf I liken to a wicked man,’ 4 stanzas.
The mery tale of the Wolfe and the Weather, p. 94.
‘ Whylom there was, as Esope can report,’ 19 stanzas ; Moralitie,
p. 99, ‘ Esope the poet, first father of this Fable,’ 4 stanzas.
The wofull tale of the cruell Wolfe and the innocent
Lambe, p. 10 1.
‘ A cruell Wolfe, right ravenous and fell,* 13 stanzas ; Moralitie,
p. 104, ‘ The poore people this Lambe may signifie,' &c.,
10 stanzas.
The tale of the wofull ende of the Paddocke and the
Mouse : shewing the mischiefe of desemblers, p. 107.
‘Upon a time (as Esope coulde report),’ 19 stanzas ; Moralitie,
p. 1 12, ‘My brother if thou,* &c., 9 stanzas.
The last stanza of this Moralitie may be quoted ; —
Adew, my friend ; and if that any aske
Of these Fables, so shortly I conclude,
Say thou I left the rest unto the learneds taske
To make example and some similitude.
Now Christ for us that died on the rood,
Of soule and life, as thou art Saviour,
Grant us to passe into a blessed houre.
Finished in the Vale of Aylesburie the thirtenth of
August Anno Domini 1574.
The volume concludes with the Translators Epilogue,
3 stanzas of 7 lines, — ‘ Shewing (as Smith says in the Fable)
that in a deformed creature God may and wil set forth his
glorie.
Then love this worke, and reade it at your will ;
I but eclipse his Tales of so great skill.’ ”
Digitized by L^ooQle
xvi
PREFATORY NOTE.
Richard Smith was the printer of Gascoigne’s Steel Glas,
1576, on the title-page of which the ornament described
above also appears.
[2 (?). An edition of “ Esope’s fables in miter ” is named
in the Stationers’ Registers, under the date 6 Nov.
1598, as the property of William Wood. “This may
have been the version anglicized from Henryson and first
printed in 1577 ” (Hazlitt, Bibliographical Collections , ii.).]
[3(F). “In 1599 Robert Smyth, bookseller and printer in
Edinburgh, obtained a grant of the privilege of printing
‘The Fabillis of Esope,’ with other books. After his
death this privilege was transferred to Thomas Finlayson.
In the inventory of stock of Robert Smith, librar (book-
seller), who died May 1st, 1602, we find 743 copies of the
‘Fabillis of Isope,’ an edition now totally unknown”
Laing, u.s., p. 264).]
4. The | Morall Fables | of Esope the | Phrygian. | Compyled
into eloquent and omamentall | Meeter, by Robert
Henrisoun | schoole-master of Dumfermeling | IT Dulcius
arrident seria picta Jocis | IT Ut Naufragii levamen est
portus : ita tranquillitas | animi, seu iocunditas est quasi
vitae portus | Newlie reuised and corrected | [type orna-
ment ] | Edinburgh: | Printed by Andro Hart, 1621. 1
The only known copy of this edition, an octavo of
96 pages, is preserved in the Advocates’ Library, Edin-
burgh. (See next entry.)
5. The | Moral Fables | of | Robert Henryson | reprinted from
the edition of | Andrew Hart || [Maitland Club block ] |
Edinburgh, MDCCCXXXII.
This edition, a reprint of No. 4, was presented to the
Maitland Club by Duncan Stewart. The Preface, which
is unsigned, was written by David Irving, author of The
History of Scotish Poetry , issued posthumously in 1861.
The Preface may be compared with the tenth chapter
of that volume and with Irving’s article on Henryson
in the Encyclopedia Britannica , 7th edit. (1836).
1 Referred to as ‘ Hart ’ in the footnotes infra .
Digitized by L^ooQle
PREFATORY NOTE.
xvii
6. The | Poems and Fables | of | Robert Henryson, | now first
collected. | With Notes, and a Memoir of his Life. | By
David Laing. | Edinburgh : MDCCCLXV. | William Pater-
son, Princes Street. Sm. 8vo., 331 pages.
The Fables are printed on pp. 101-217.
7. Henrisone’s Fabeln; in Anglia, ix., pp. 342-390, 453-492,
edited by A. R. Diebler, author of a dissertation entitled
Henrisone's Fabeldichtungen (Halle, 1885). The text in
Anglia is a reprint of the Harleian.
Selections.
1. Allan Ramsay printed ‘The Borrowstoun Mous and the
Landwart Mous’ and ‘The Lyon and the Mous' (in-
cluding the Prologue to the latter) in the first volume
of The Ever Green (1724), pp. 144-155, 185-199.
These are free renderings of the Bannatyne text, which
Ramsay acknowledges in his Preface to have been his
source. They are of more interest to the student of
Ramsay than to the student of Henryson.
2. In Lord Hailes’s volume of Ancient Scottish Poems, published
from the MS. of George Bannatyne, MDLX VIII (1770),
the following portions are printed: (a) The Dog, the
Wolf, and the Scheip (pp. 138-146); (b) The Wolfe and
the Lame (pp. 147-154); (« c ) Moralitas of The Mouss and
the Paddok (pp. 155-158); {d) Moralitas of The Cok and
the Pretious Stone (pp. 159-161); (e) Moralitas of The
Borrowistoun Mous and the Up-on-land Mouss (pp. 162-
163); (f) Moralitas of The Lyon and the Mouss (pp.
164-166). Notes on these passages occupy pp. 328-331.
3. In J. Sibbald’s Chronicle of Scottish Poetry, vol. i. (1802),
there is a short account (pp. 87-90) of Henryson, followed
by these texts: ( a ) The Prologue to the Lion and the
Mouse (pp. 90-93); ( b ) The Wolf and the Lame (pp. 94-
99) ; (c) The Dog, Wolf, and Sheep (pp. 100-106) ; (d) The
Twa Mice (pp. 10 7-1 14). The editor claims for the last
that “it is here for the first time given correctly from
the Bannatyne MS.” (p. 107). (b) and (c) also are taken,
Digitized by L^ooQle
XVlii PREFATORY NOTE.
as in Hailes’s volume, from the Bannatyne MS., and are,
on the whole, given more accurately.
4. In the Appendix to G. F. Nott’s edition of the Poems of Sir
Thomas Wyatt (1816), the Fable of the Two Mice is
printed from the Harleian MS.
5. In Mediaeval Scottish Poetry (Glasgow, 1892), edited by George
Eyre-Todd, the Prologue to the Tale of the Lion and the
Mouse (described, in error, as the ‘ Prologue to the Moral
Fables’) and the Tale of the Two Mice are reprinted from
Laing’s edition, u.s.
6. In the editor’s Specimens of Middle Scots (1902) the Prologue
and Tale of the Cock and Jewel are printed from the
Makculloch MS. (pp. 1-7), and the Tale of the Paddock
and the Mouse from the Bannatyne MS. (pp. 34-41).
Notes on these extracts are printed on pp. 267-269,
277-280.
The texts have been transcribed and collated by Mr
George Stevenson, M.A., who has, at every stage of the
preparation of this volume, given invaluable aid. The
editor, in offering his thanks for this assistance during a
long task, desires to express his pleasure that the col-
laboration has been the means of securing Mr Stevenson
as an independent contributor to the publications of the
Society. The editor also desires to thank Mrs Christie-
Miller of Britwell Court for her kindness in placing the
unique copy of Charteris’s edition at his disposal, and
the librarians of the British Museum, the Advocates’
Library, and the University of Edinburgh, for privileges
readily granted.
Nov. 11, 1906.
Digitized by L^ooQle
TABLE OF THE TEXTS
Digitized by
TABLE OF
TITLES.
I. Prolog .
II. The Taill of the Cok and the Iasp .....
[The Cock & J>e I e well. — Bann .] .....
III. The Taill of the Uponlandis Mous and the Burges Mous
[The Twa Myss. — Bann.] ......
[The tale of J>e wplandis moufl and ]?e borrowstoun moufi. —
Asloan-Chalmers] .......
IV. The Taill of Schir Chantecleir and the Foxe ....
[The Fox and the Cock. — Bann.] .....
V. The Taill how this foirsaid Tod maid his confessioun to Freir Wolf
Waitskaith. .......
[The Fox and the Wolf. — Bann.] .....
VI. The Taill of the sone and air of the foirsaid foxe, callit Father-Wer :
Alswa the Parliament of fourfuttit beistis haldin be the Lyoun
[The Fox tryed before the Lyon. — Bann.] ....
VII. The Taill of the Scheip and the Doig .....
[The Dog, )?e Scheip, & J>e Wolff. — Bann.] ....
VIII. The Taill of the Lyoun and the Mous (Prologue)
[The Lyon & the Mouss. — Bann.] .....
The Taill of the Lyoun and the Mous ....
[The Lyon and the Mous. — Bann .] .....
IX. The Preiching of the Swallow ......
[The Swallow & othir Birdis. — Bann.] ....
X. The Taill of the Wolf that gat the nekhering throw the wrinkis of
the Foxe that begylit the Cadgear ....
XI. The Taill of the Foxe that begylit the Wolf in the Schadow of the
Mone ........
!
1
}
1
i
i
1
f
1
}
XII. The Taill of the Wolf and the Wedder
XIII. The Tail of the Wolf and the Lamb .
[The Wolff & >e Lamb.— Bann.]
XIV. The Taill of the Paddok and the Mous
[The Mouss and the Paddock. — Bann.]
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE TEXTS.
Chartbris
(Britwell Court).
Harleian
(British Museum).
Makculloch
(U niv. of Edin.)
Bannatyne
(A dvocates’ Lib.)
Asloan-
Chalmers
(U niv. of Edin.)
Pp.
2-6 (left)
p P .
3-7 (right)
Pp.
223-225
pp.
270-272
Pp.
6-12 (left)
7-13 (right)
225-228
272-276
...
14-30 (left)
15-31 (right)
...
283-291
319-327
30-46 (left)
31-47 (right)
...
243-250
...
46-58 (left)
47-59 (right)
...
251-257
...
60-84 (left)
61-85 (right)
...
258-270
...
86-98 (left)
87-99 (right)
...
292-298
...
98-104 (left)
99-105 (right)
...
304-307
...
1 04- 1 20 (left)
105-121 (right)
...
307-315
...
1 20- 1 44 (left)
121-145 (right)
...
23I-242
...
144-164 (left)
145-165 (right)
...
...
164-180 (left)
165-181 (right)
...
...
...
182-192 (left)
183-193 (right)
...
...
...
194-204 (left)
195-205 (right)
...
298-304
...
206-218 (left)
207-219 (right)
...
276-283
i
...
Digitized by
Google
Digitized by
Google
CHARTERIS AND HARLEIAN TEXTS
Digitized by
Google
CHARTERIS]
PROLOG.
T HOCHT FEN 3 EIT FABILLIS of auld poetrie
Be nocht all groundit vpon treuth, 3it than
Thair polite termis of sweit Rhetorie
Richt plesand ar vnto the eir of man ;
And als the caus that thay first began 5
Wes to repreif the haill misleuing
Of man, be figure of ane vther thing.
C In lyke maner as throw the busteous eird,
Swa it be laubourit with greit diligence,
Springis the flouris and the come abreird, 10
Hailsum and gude to mannis sustenance,
Sa dois spring ane Morale sweit sentence
Out of the subtell dyte of Poetry,
To gude purpois, quha culd it weill applie.
The Nuttis schell, thocht it be hard and teuch, 15
Haldis the kirnell, and is delectabill.
Sa lyis thair ane doctrine wyse aneuch,
And full of frute, vnder ane fein3eit fabill.
And Clerkis sayis, it is richt profitabill
Amangis emist to ming ane merie sport, 20
To licht the spreit, and gar the tyme be schort.
Digitized by L^ooQle
[harleian
{Prolog.
'TTbOCbt fetnBCtt fabUKS Of aid poetrie
Be not all grunded vpon truth, ^it than
Thair polite termes of sweit rethorie
Richt plesand ar vnto the eir of man ;
And als the caus that thay first began
Wes to repreue the haill misleuing
Of man, be figure of ane vther thing.
5
In lyke maner as throw the bustious eird,
Swa it be laubourit with grit diligence,
Springis the flouris and the come abreird, io
Hailsum and gude to ma«nis sustenence,
Swa dois spring ane morale sweit sentence
Out of the subtell dyte of poetry,
To gude purpois, quha culd it weill apply.
The nuttis schell, thocht [it] be hard and teuch, 15
Haldis the kimell, and is delectabill.
Sa lyis thair ane doctrine wyse aneuch,
And full of frute, vnder ane fein^eit fabill.
And clerkis sayis, it is richt profitabill
Amangis eimist to ming ane mery sport, 20
To licht the spreit, and gar the tyme be schort.
Digitized by Tooele
4
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
Forther mair, ane Bow that is ay bent
Worthis vnsmart and dullis on the string
Sa gais the man that is ay diligent
In ernestfull 1 thochtis, and in studying :
With sad materis sum merines to ming
Acordis weill, thus Esope said, I wis,
Dulcius arrident seria picta locis.
C Of this author, my Maisteris, with 30m leif,
Submitting me in 3our correctioun,
In Mother toung of Latyne I wald preif
To mak ane mater of Translatioun ;
Nocht of my self, for vane presumptioun,
Bot be requeist and Precept of ane Lord,
Of quhome the Name it neidis not record. 2
In hamelie language and in tennis rude
Me neidis wryte, for quhy of Eloquence
Nor Rethorike I neuer vnderstude.
Thairfoir meiklie I pray 30m reuerence,
Gif that 3e find it throw my negligence
Be deminute, or 3it superfluous,
Correct it at 30m willis gratious.
My Author in his Fabillis tellis 30W,
That brutall beistis spak, and vnderstude,
In to guid purpois dispute, and maid argow,
In Philosophic propone, and eik conclude ;
Put in exempill, and in similitude,
How mony men in opera tioun
Ar lyke to beistis in conditioun.
1 Orig. ‘ernestfull.’ 2 Orig. ‘decord.’
Digitized by L^ooQle
PROLOGUE.
5
[harleian
Forther mair, ane bow that is ay bent
F. 2 b. Worthis vnsmart and dullis on the string :
Sa dois the mynd that is ay diligent
In eimistfull 1 thoc[h]tis, and in studying : 25
With sad materis sum merynes to myng
Acordis weill, thus esope said, I wis,
Uulcuig attfoetti »rcta jricta locfe.
Of this authour, my maisteris, with 30ur leif,
Submitting me in }our correctioun, 30
In mother toung of Lating I wald preif
To mak ane maner of translatioun ;
Not of my self, for vane presumptioun,
Bot be requeist and precept of ane lord,
Of quhome the name it neidis nocht record. 35
In hamelie language and in termes rude
Me neidis not, for quhy of eloquence
Nor rethorik I neuer vnderstude.
Thairfoir meiklie I pray }our reuerence,
Gif that }e find it throw my negligence 40
Be deminute, or }it superfluous,
Correct it at }our willis gratious.
F. 13 a. My author in his fabillis tellis how
That brut beist/x spak, and vnderstude,
In to guid purpois dispute, and argow, 45
Ane sillogisme propone, and eik conclude ;
Put in exempill, and in similitude,
How mony men in operatioun
Ar like to beistis in conditioun.
1 MS. ‘ eimist full.*
Digitized by L^ooQle
6
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
Na maruell is ane man be lyke ane Beist, 50
Quhilk lufis ay camall and foull delyte ;
That schame can not him ren3e nor arreist,
Bot takis all the lust and appetyte,
And that throw custum and daylie ryte.
Syne in thair myndis sa fast is Radicate 55
That thay in brutall beistis ar transformate.
C This Nobill Clerk Esope, as I haif tauld,
In gray vestiment, and in facound purpurate,
Be figure wrait his buik ; for he nocht wald
Lak the wisedome of hie nor law estait. 60
And to begyn, first of ane Cok he wrait,
Seikand his meit, quhilk fand ane Iolie stone,
Of quhome the Fabill 3e sail heir anone.
A NE COK, SUMTYME, with feddrame fresche and gay,
Richt cant and Crous, albeit he was bot pure, 65
Flew furth vpon ane dounghill sone be day ;
To get his dennar set wes all his cure :
Scraipand amang the as, be auenture
He fand ane Iolie Iasp, richt precious,
Wes castin furth in sweping of the hous. 70
As Damysellis wantoun and Insolent,
That fane wald play, and on the streit be sene,
To swoping of the hous thay tak na tent :
Thay cair na thing swa that the flure be clene ;
Iowellis ar tint, as oftymis hes bene sene, 75
Upon the flure, and swopit furth anone —
Peraduenture, sa wes the samin stone.
Digitized by L^ooQle
Digitized by LjOOQle
Harleian MS. No. 3865, fol.
(British Museum)
THE COCK AND THE JEWEL.
7
[harleian
Na mervell is ane man be like ane beist, 50
Quhilk luifis ay carnall and foull delite ;
That schame can not him rein^e nor arreist,
Bot takis all the lust and appetyte,
And that throw custum and dalye ryte.
Syne in thair myndis sa fast is radicate 55
That thay in brutall beistis ar transformate.
This nobill clerk esope, as I haif tald,
In gay meter, as poete lawriate,
Be figure wrait his buik ; for he not wald
Lack the disdane of hie nor law estait. 60
And to begin, first of ane cok he wrate,
Seikand his meit, quhilk fand ane Ioly stone,
Of quhome the fabill $e sail heir anone.
f. 3 *. Gb c CaUl of tbe Cob anb tbe Easp.
H ne GOfo, sum t$me, with feddram fresch & gay,
Richt cant and crouft, albeit he was bot pure, 65
Flew furth vpoun ane dung hill sone be day ;
To get his dennar set was all his cure :
Scraipand amang the aft, be euenture
He fand ane Ioly Iasp, richt precious,
Was castin furth be sweping of the houft. 70
F. 4 a . As damesellis wantoun and insolent,
That fane wald play, and on the streit be sene,
To sweping of the houft thay tak na tent ;
Thay cair na thing swa that the flure be clene ;
Iowellis ar tint, as oftymes hes bene sene, 75
Vpon the flure, and swopit furth anone —
Peraduenture, sa was the samyn stone.
Digitized by Tooele
8
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
Sa meruelland vpon the stane, quod he,
‘ O gentill Iasp ! O riche and Nobill thing !
Thocht I the find, thow ganis not for me ; So
Thow art ane Iowell for ane Lord, or king.
Pietie it wer thow suld ly in this midding,
And buryit be thus on this muke on mold, 1
And thow so fair, and worth sa mekill gold.
C 1 It is pietie I suld the find, for quhy 8 5
Thy greit vertew, nor 3k thy cull our cleir,
It may me nouther extoll nor magnifie ;
And thow to me may mak bot lytill cheir.
To greit Lordis thocht thow be leif and deir,
I lufe fer better thing of les auaill, 90
As draf, or come, to fill my tume Intraill.
I I had leuer haif scrapit heir with my naillis
Amangis this mow, and luke my lyfis fude,
As draf, or corne, small wormis, or snaillis,
Or ony meit wald do my stomok gude, 95
Than of Iaspis ane mekill multitude :
And thow agane, vpon the samin wyis,
For thyne auaill may me as now despyis.
‘ Thow is na come, and thairof haif I neid ;
Thy cullour dois bot confort to the sicht, 100
And that is not aneuch my wame to feid ;
For wyfis sayis lukand werkis ar licht.
I wald haif sum meit, get it gif I micht,
For houngrie men may not leif on lukis :
Had I dry breid, I compt not for na cukis. 105
1 Cf. p. 226.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE COCK AND THE JEWEL.
9
Sa mervelland vpon this stane, quod he,
‘ O gentill Iasp ! o riche and noble thing !
ThorAt I the find, thow ganis not for me ;
Thow art ane Iowell for ane lord, or king.
Pietie it war thow suld ly in this midding,
Be buryit thus amang this muk on mold, 1
And thow sa fair, and worth sa mekle gold.
‘It is pietie I suld the fynd, for quhy
Thy gret vertue, nor 3k thy cullour cleir,
It may me nouther extoll nor magnify ;
And thow to me may mak bot litill cheir.
To gret lordis thocht thow be leif and deir,
I luif fer better thing of les auaill,
As draf, or come, to fill my tume Intraill.
F. 4 b. ‘I had leuer ga scrapit heir w/t^ my naillis
Amangis this mow, and luik my lyfis fude,
As draf, or come, small wormes, or snaillis,
Or ony meit wald do my stomok gude,
Than of Iaspis ane mefcte multitude :
And thow agane, vpoun the samyn wyse,
For les auaill may me as now dispyis.
‘ Thow hes na come, and thairof I haif neid ;
Thy cullour dois but confort to the sicht,
And that is not enewch my wame to feid ;
For wyfis sayis luikand work is ar licht.
I wald haif sum meit, get it gif I mycftt,
For hungrie men may not leue on luikis :
Had I dry breid, I compt not for na cuikis.
1 Cf. p. 226.
[harleian
80
8S
90
95
IOO
io 5
Digitized by L^ooQle
IO
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
‘ Quhar suld thow mak thy habitatioun ?
Quhar suld thow dwell, bot in ane Royall Tour ?
Quhar suld thow sit, bot on ane Kingis Croun,
Exaltit in worschip and in greit honour ?
Ryse, gentill Iasp, of all stanis the flour, no
Out of this midding, and pas quhair thow suld be ;
Thow ganis not for me, nor I for the/
Leuand this Iowell law vpon the ground,
To seik his meit this Cok his wayis went ;
Bot quhen, or how, or quhome be it wes found, 1 1 5
As now I set to hald na Argument :
Bot of the Inward sentence and Intent
Of this, as myne Author dois write,
I sail reheirs in rude and hamelie dite.
Moralitas . 1
C This Iolie Iasp had properteis seuin : 120
The first, of cullour it wes meruelous,
Part lyke the fyre, and part like to the heuin :
It makis ane man stark and victorious ;
Preseruis als fra cacis perrillous :
Quha hes this stane sail haif gude hoip to speid, 125
Or fyre nor watter him neidis not to dreid.
This gentill Iasp, richt different of hew,
Betakinnis perfite prudence and cunning,
Ornate with mony deidis of vertew,
Mair excellent than ony eirthlie thing, 130
Quhilk makis men in honour for to Ring,
Happie, and stark to wyn the victorie
Of all vycis and Spirituall enemie.
1 In the original this heading introduces the next stanza.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE COCK AND THE JEWEL.
II
[harleian
‘ Quhair suld thow mak thy habitatioun ?
Quhair suld thow duell, bot in ane royell tour?
Quhair suld thow sit, bot on ane kingis croun,
Exaltit in worschip and in gret honour?
Ryse, gentill Iasp, of all stanis the flour, no
Out of this midding, and pas quhair thow suld be ;
Thow ganis not for me, nor I for the/
F. s Leuand this Iowell law vpoun the ground,
To seik his meit this cok his wayis went ;
Bot quhen, or how, or quhome be it was found, 1 1 5
As now I set to hald na argument :
Bot of the inwart sentence and intent
Of this, as myne author dois wryte,
I sail reheirs in rude and hamelie dyte .
Aoralitaa , 1
This Ioly Iasp had properteis sevin : 120
The first, of cullour it was meruellous,
Part lyke the fyre, and part like to the hevin :
It makis ane man stark and victorious ;
Preseruis als fra cacis perrilous :
Quha hes this stane sail haif gude hap to speid, 125
Or fyre nor water him neidis not to dreid.
TTbfe gentill Iasp, richt different of hew,
Betakynnis perfite prudence and cu/ming,
Ornate with mony deidis of vertew,
Mair excellent than ony eirthlie thing, 130
F. 5 b. Quhilk makis men in honour for to ring,
Happie, and stark to win the victorie
Of all vicis and spirituale Enemie.
1 In the MS. this heading introduces the next stanza.
Digitized by L^ooQle
12
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
Quha may be hardie, riche, and gratious ?
Quha can eschew perrell and auenture ?
Quha can Gouerne in ane Realme or hous
Without science ? ouer all thing, I 30W assure,
It is riches that euer sail Indure,
Quhilk Maith, nor moyst, nor vther rust can freit :
To mannis Saule it is Eternall meit.
This Cok, desyrand mair the sempill come
Than ony Iasp, may till ane fule be peir,
Quhilk at science makis bot ane moik and scome,
And na gude can ; als lytill will he leir ;
His hart wammillis wyse argument to heir,
As dois ane Sow, to quhome men for the nanis
In hir draf troich wald saw precious stanis.
C Quha is enemie to science and cunning,
Bot Ignorance that vnderstandis nocht ?
Quhilk is sa Nobill, sa preciouft, and sa ding,
That it may not with eirdlie thing be bocht.
Weill war that man ouer all vther, that mocht
All his lyfe dayis in perfite studie wair
To get science ; for him neidis na mair.
Bot now, allace, science is tint and hid :
We seik it nocht, nor preis it for to find.
Haif we riches, na better lyfe we bid,
Of science thocht the Saull be bair and blind.
Of this mater to speik it wer bot wind ;
Thairfoir I ceis, and will na forther say :
Ga seik the iasp quha will, for thair it lay.
Finis.
Digitized by
Google
13s
140
*45
150
*55
160
THE COCK AND THE JEWEL.
13
* [harleian
Quha may be hardie, riche, and gratious?
Quha can eschew perrell and euenture? 135
Quha can gouerne ane realme, citie, or houft
Without science ? na man, I 30W assure.
It is riches that euer sail indure,
Quhilk maith, nor moist, nor vther rust can screit 1 :
To ma#nis saule it is Etemale meit. 140
This cok, desirand mair the sempill come
Than ony Iasp, vnto ane fule is peir,
Quhilk at science makis bot ane mok and scome,
And na gude can ; als litill will he leir ;
His hart wawmillis wyse argument to heir, 145
As dois ane sow, to quhome m tn for the nanis
In hir draf troch wald saw precious stanjs.
F. 6 a. Quha is enemie to science and cunning,
Bot ignorantis that vnderstandis nocht ?
Quhilk is sa noble, sa preciouft, and sa ding, 150
That it may not with eirdlie thing be bocht.
Weill war that man ouer all vther, that mo^t
All his lyfe dayis in p^rfite studie wair
To get science ; for him neidis na mair.
Bot now, [allace], this Iasp is tint and hid : 155
We seik it nocht, nor preis it for to find.
Haif we riches, na better lyfe we bid,
Of science thocht the saule be bair and blind.
Of this mater to speik it war but wind ;
Thairfoir I ceis, and will na ferther say : 160
Ga seik the iasp quha will, for thair it lay.
jFttu*.
1 So MS. See pp. 12, 228 ; also cf. p. 275.
Digitized by Google
14
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS] *
C THE TAILL OF THE UPONLANDIS MOUS
AND THE BURGES MOUS.
SOPE, myne Author, makis mentioun
Of twa Myis, and thay wer Sisteris deir,
Of quham the eldest dwelt in ane Borrous town,
The vther wynnit Uponland, weill neir, 165
Soliter, quhyle vnder busk, quhyle vnder breir,
Quhylis in the corne, and vther mennis skaith,
As outlawis dois and leuis on thair waith.
This rurall Mous in to the wynter tyde
Had hunger, cauld, and tholit greit distres.
The vther Mous that in the Burgh can byde
Wes Gild brother and maid ane fre Burges ;
Toll fre als, but custum mair or les,
And fredome had to ga quhair euer scho list,
Amang the cheis in Ark, and meill in kist.
Ane tyme quhen s[c]ho wes full and vnfute sair,
Scho tuik in mynde hir sister vponland,
And langit for to heir of hir weilfair,
To se quhat lyfe scho had vnder the wand :
Bairfute, allone, with pykestalf in hir hand, 180
As pure Pilgryme scho passit out of toun,
To seik hir sister baith our daill and doun.
C Furth mony wilsum wayis can scho walk,
Throw mosse & muir, throw ba«kis, balk, 1 and breir,
Scho ranne with mony ane hiddeous quaik, 185
* Cum furth to me, my awin Sister deir ;
Cry peip anis ! ’ With that the Mous cryit ‘ heir/
And knew hir voce, as kinnisman will do,
Be verray kynd ; and furth scho come hir to.
1 Orig. ‘blak’; Hart, ‘balke.* See p. 15.
170
*75
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE TWO MICE.
IS
[harleian
f.6*. nhe $aUl of tbe vponlanfcfs flDous
anb tbe burgee fIDoua.
0 OPC t ttV£ author, makis mentioun
Of twa myis, and thay wer sisteris deir,
Of quhome the eldest duelt in ane borous toun,
The vther wynnit vponland, weill neir, 165
Soliter, quhile vnder busk, quhile vnder breir,
Quhilis in the come, and vther me«nis skaith,
As outlawis dois and leuis on thair waith.
This rurall mouft in to the winter tyde
Had hunger, cauld, and tholit gret distres.
The vther mous that in the burgh can byde
Was gild brother and maid ane fre burgeft ;
Toll fre als, but custum mair or les,
And fredome had to ga quhair euer scho list,
Amang the cheis in ark, and meill in kist.
Ane tyme quhen scho was full and vnfute sair,
Scho tuik in mynde hir sister vponland,
And langit for to heir of hir weilfair,
F. 7 a. To se quhat lyfe scho had vnder the wand :
Bairfute, allone, with pykestalf in hir hand,
As pure pilgryme scho passit out of toun,
To seik hir sister baith ouer daill and doun.
Furth mony wilsum wayis can scho walk,
Throw moft and mure, throw bankis, [busk l ] and breir,
Scho ran cryand, quhill scho come to ane balk : 185
‘ Cum furth to me, my awin sister deir ;
Cry peip anis ! * With that the mousse culd heir,
And knew hir voce, as kynnisman will do,
Be verray kynd ; and furth scho come hir to.
1 Cf. pp. 284, 320 ; also p. 14.
170
*75
180
Digitized by L^ooQle
i6
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
The hartlie ioy, God ! gif 3e had sene, 190
Beis kith quhen that thir Sisteris met ;
And greit kyndenes wes schawin thame betuene,
For quhylis thay leuch, and quhyllis for ioy thay gret,
Quhyle kissit sweit, quhylis in armis plet ;
And thus thay fure, quhill soberit wes thair mind, 195
Syne fute for fute vnto the Chalmer wend.
As I hard say, it was ane sober wane,
Of fog and fairn full febillie wes maid,
Ane sillie scheill vnder ane steidfast stane,
Of quhilk the entres was not hie nor braid ; 200
And in the samin thay went but mair abaid,
Without fyre or candill birnand bricht,
For commounlie sic pykeris lufes not licht.
Quhen thay wer lugit thus, thir selie Myse,
The 3oungest sister into hir butterie 3eid, 205
And brocht furth nuttis and candil in steid of spyce ;
Gif this wes gude fair, I do it on thame besyde.
The Burges Mouft prompit furth in pryde,
And said, ‘sister, is this 3our daylie fade?* 209
c Qyhy not,’ quod scho, * is not this meit rycht gude ? *
C ‘ Na, be my saull, I think it bot ane scorned
* Madame/ quod scho, * 3e be the mair to blame ;
My mother said, sister, quhen we wer borne,
That I and 3e lay baith within ane wame :
I keip the rate and custume of my dame, 215
And of my leuing in to pouertie,
For landis haif we nane in propertied
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE TWO MICE.
17
[harleian
The hartlie Ioy, 1 god ! gif je had sene, 190
Beis kyth quhen that thir sisteris met ;
And gret kyndnes was schawin thame betuene,
For quhillis thay leuch, and quhillis for ioy thay gret,
Quhile kissit sweit, quhillis in armes plet ;
And thus thay fure, quhill soberit was ]>air mude, 195
Syne fute for fute vnto the ch aimer jude.
7 b. As I hard say, it was ane sober wane,
Of fog and faime 2 full febilie was maid,
Ane sillie scheill vnder ane steidfast stane,
Of quhilk the entres was not hie nor braid ; 200
And in the samyn thay went but mair abaid,
Without fire or candill bimand bricht,
For co/wmonlie sic pykeris luifes nocht licht.
Quhen thay war lugeit thus, thir sillie myis,
The youngest sister in to hir butterie glide, 205
And brocht furth nuttis and candill in steid of spyce ;
Gif this was gude fair, I do it on thame beside.
The burges mouft prompit furth in pride,
And said, 4 sister, is this ^our daylie fude ? * 209
4 Quhy not,' quod scho, * is not this meit richt gude ? *
4 Na, be my saule, I think it bot ane scorned
4 Madame/ quod scho, 4 je be the mair to blame ;
My mother said, sister, quhen we war borne,
That I and je lay baith within ane wame :
I keip the rait and custome of my dame, 215
And of my leving in to pouertie,
For landis haif we nane in propertied
1 See p. 284, 1 . 29, and p. 320, 1 . 29. 2 MS. farine.
VOL. II. B
Digitized by L^ooQle
1 8 THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
* My fair sister/ quod scho, * haif me excusit,
This rude dyet and I can not accord ;
To tender meit my stomok is ay vsit,
For quhylis I fair als weill as ony Lord ;
Thir widderit peis and nuttis, or thay be bord,
Will brek my teith, & mak my wame full sklender,
Quhilk wes befoir vsit to meittis tender/
* Weill, weill, sister/ quod the rurall Mous,
* Gif it pleis 30W, sic thingis as 3e se heir,
Baith meit and drink, harberie and hous,
Salbe 3our awin, will 3e remane all ^eir ;
3e sail it haif with blyith and merie cheir,
And that suld mak the maisses that ar rude,
Amang freindis, richt tender and wonder gude.
‘ Quhat plesure is in the Feistis delicate,
The quhilkis ar geuin with ane glowma«d brow ?
Ane gentill hart is better recreat
With blyith curage, than seik to him ane kow :
Ane Modicum is mair for till allow,
Swa that gude will be keruer at the dais,
Than thrawin will and mony spycit mais/
C For all hir merie exhortatioun,
This Burges Mous had lytill will to sing,
Bot heuilie scho kest hir browis doun,
For all the daynteis that scho culd hir bring.
3it at the last scho said, half in hething,
‘ Sister, this victuall and 3our royall feist
May weill suffice vnto ane rurall beist.
Digitized by
Google
220
225
230
2 35
240
2 45
THE TWO MICE.
19
[harleian
F. 8 a, ‘ My fair sister/ quod scho, * haif me excusit,
This rude dyat and I can not accord ;
To tender meit my stomok is ay vsit, 220
For quhilis I fair als weill as ony lord ;
Thir widderit peis and nuttis, or thay be bord,
Will brek my teith, and mak my wame full sklender,
Quhilk was befoir vsit to meitis tender. 1
‘Weill, weill, sister/ quod the rurale mouft, 225
‘ Gif it pleis sow, sic thing as se se heir,
Baith meit and drink, herberie and houft,
Sail be sour awin, will se remane all seir ;
3e sail it haif with blith and mery cheir,
And that sould mak the maissis that ar rude, 230
Amang freindis, richt tender and wonder gude.
‘ Quhat plesure is in the feistis delicate,
The quhilk ar gevin with ane glowmand brow ?
Ane gentill hart is better recreate
With blith courage, than seith to him ane kow : 235
Ane modicum is mair for till allow,
Sua that gude will be earner at the dais,
Than thrawin vult and mony spycit maift.*
F. 8 b. For all hir mery exhortatioun,
This burges mous had litill will to sing, 240
Bot heuilie scho kest hir browis doun,
For all the daynteis that scho culd hir bring.
3it at the last scho said, half in hething,
‘ Sister, this victuall and sour royell feist
May weill suffice vnto ane rurall beist. 245
Digitized by L^ooQle
20
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
* Lat be this hole, and cum into my place ;
I sail to 30W schaw be experience
My gude fryday is better nor 3our Pace ;
My dische weschingis is worth 30m haill expe#ce ;
I haif housis anew of greit defence ; 250
Of Cat nor fall-trap I haif na dreid.’
‘ I grant,’ quod scho ; and on togidder thay 3eid.
In stubbill array throw gers and corne,
And vnder buskis preuelie couth thay creip,
The eldest wes the gyde and vent beforne, 255
The 3ounger to hir wayis tuke gude keip.
On nicht thay ran, and on the day can sleip ;
Quhill in the morning, or the Lauerok sang,
Thay fand the toun, and in blythlie couth gang.
Not fer fra thyne vnto ane worthie vane 260
This burges brocht thame sone quhar thai suld be ;
Without God speid thair herberie wes tane,
In to ane Spence with vittell greit plentie ;
Baith Cheis and Butter vpone thair skelfis hie,
And fleshe and fishe aneuch, of freshe and salt, 265
And sekkis full of meill and eik of malt.
C Efter quhen thay disposit war to dyne,
Withouttin grace thay wesche and went to meit,
With all coursis that Cukis culd deuyne,
Muttoun and beif strikin in tail3eis greit; 270
Ane Lordis fair thus couth thay counterfeit,
Except ane thing, thay drank the watter cleir
In steid of wyne, bot 3k thay maid gude cheir.
Digitized by Tooele
THE TWO MICE.
21
[harleian
* Let be this hole, and cum vnto my place ;
I sail to 30W schaw be experience
My gude fryday is better nor 3our pace ;
My dische likkingis is wirth jour haill expence.
I haif housis anew to grit defence ; 250
Of cat nor fall-trap I haif na dreid.’
* I grant/ quod scho ; and on togidder thay 3eid.
In stubbill array throw gres and come,
And vnder buskis preuilie culd thay creip,
The eldest was the gide and went befome, 255
The jounger to hir wayis tuik gude keip.
On nycht thay ran, and on the day can sleip ;
Quhill in the momi«g, or the lauerok sang,
Thay fand the toun, and in blithlie culd gang.
F. 9 a. Not fer fra thine vnto ane wirthie wane 260
This burges brocht thame sone quhair thay suld be ;
Without god speid thair herberie was tane,
In to ane spence with victuell grit plentie ;
Baith cheis and butter vpoun thair skelfis hie,
And flesche and fische aneuch, ba.it A fresche & salt, 265
And sekkis full of meill and eik of malt.
Efter quhen thay disposit war to dyne,
Without grace thay wesche and went to meit,
With all coursis that cuikis culd defyne,
Muttoun and beif strukkin in tailjeis greit ; 270
Ane lordis fair thus culd thay counterfeit,
Except ane thing, thay drank the watter cleir
In steid of wyne, bot jit thay maid gude cheir.
Digitized by L^ooQle
22
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
With blyith vpcast and merie countenance,
The eldest Sister sperit at hir gaist,
Gif that scho be ressone fand difference
Betuix that chalmer and hir sarie nest.
‘ 3e, dame/ quod scho, ‘ how lang will this lest ? ’
* For euermair, I wait, and langer to/
‘Gif it be swa, 3e ar at eis/ quod scho.
Till eik thair cheir ane subcharge furth scho brocht,
Ane plait of grotis, and ane dische full of meill ;
Thraf caikkis als I trow scho spairit nocht,
Aboundantlie about hir for to deill ;
And mane full fyne scho brocht in steid of geill,
And ane quhyte candill out of ane coffer stall,
In steid of spyce to gust thair mouth withall.
This maid thay merie quhil thay micht na mair,
And ‘ haill juill, haill ! ’ cryit vpon hie.
Bit efter ioy oftymes cummis cair,
And troubill efter greit prosperitie.
Thus as thay sat in all thair iolitie,
The spenser come with keyis in his hand,
Oppinnit the dure, and thame at denner fand.
C Thay taryit not to wesche, as I suppose,
Bot on to ga quha that micht formest win.
The Burges had ane hoill, and in scho gois ;
Hir sister had na hole to hyde hir in :
To se that selie Mous it wes greit sip,
So desolate and will of ane gude reid ;
For verray dreid scho fell in swoun neir deid.
Digitized by
Google
275
280
285
290
295
300
THE TWO MICE.
23
[harleian
With blith vpcast and merie countenance,
The eldest sister sperit at hir gaist,
Gif that scho be ressone fand differrence
Betuix that chalmer and hir sarie nest.
‘ 3e, dame,’ quod scho, ‘ how lang will this lest? *
‘For euermair, I wait, and langer to/
‘ Gif it be swa, ^e ar at eis,* quod scho.
F. 9 b. Till eik thair cheir ane subcharge furth scho bror^t,
Ane plait of grottis, and ane dische full of meill ;
Thraf caikis als I trow scho spairit noc/fct,
Aboundantlie about hir for to deill ;
And man fulle fyne 1 scho broc^t in steid of geill, 285
And ane quhite candill out of ane coffer stall,
In steid of spyce to gust thair mouth mth all.
275
280
This maid thay merie quhill thay myc/fct na mair,
And ‘ haill suill, haill ! * cryit vpone hie.
3it efter Ioy oftymes cuwis cair, 290
And troubill efter grit prosperitie.
Thus as thay sat in all thair iolitie,
The spensar come with keyis in his hand,
Oppynnit the dur, and thame at denner fand.
Thay taryit not to wasche, as I suppois, 295
Bot on to ga quha that mycht formest win.
The burges had ane hoill, and in scho gois ;
Hir sister had na hoill to hide hir in :
To se that selie mouft it was grit sin,
So desolate and will of ane gude reid ; 300
For verray dreid scho fell in swoun neir deid.
1 MS. manfulle syne.
Digitized by L^ooQle
24
THE FABLES
CHARTERIS]
Bot as God wald, it fell ane happy cace ;
The Spenser had na laser for to byde,
Nouther to seik nor serche, to sker nor chace,
Bot in he went, and left the dure vp wyde. 305
The bald Burges his passing weill hes spyde ;
Out of hir hole scho come and cryit on hie,
* How fair je sister ? cry peip, quhair euer 3e be ! *
This rurall Mous lay flatling on the ground,
And for the deith scho was full sair dredand, 310
For till hir hart straik mony wofull stound,
As in ane feuer scho trimbillit fute and hand ;
And quhan hir sister in sic ply hir fand,
For verray pietie scho began to greit,
Syne confort hir with wordis humbill & sweit. 315
c Quhy ly Je thus ? ryse vp my sister deir,
Cum to 3our meit, this perrell is ouerpast.’
The vther answerit hir with heuie cheir,
c I may not eit, sa sair I am agast ;
I had leuer thir fourtie day is fast, 320
With watter caill and to gnaw benis and peis,
Than all 30m feist in this dreid and diseis.*
C With fair tretie 3k scho gart hir vpryse,
And to the burde thay went and togidder sat ;
And scantlie had thay drunkin anis or twyse, 325
Quhen in come Gib hunter, our Iolie Cat,
And bad God speid : the Burges vp with that,
And till the hole scho went as fyre on flint :
Bawdronis the vther be the bak hes hint.
Digitized by
Google
THE TWO MICE.
25
[harleian
F. io «. Bot as god wald, it fell ane happie cace ;
The spensar had na laser for to bide,
Nouther to seik nor serche, to skar nor chace,
Bot on he went, and left the dur vp wyde. 305
The bald burges his passing weill hes spyde ;
Out of hir hoill scho come and cryit on hie,
* How fair }e sister? cry peip, quhair euer $e be !*
This rurall mouft lay flatling on the ground,
And for the deith scho was full sair dreidand, 310
For till hir hart straik mony wofull stound,
As in ane feuer scho trimblit fute and hand ;
And quhen hir sister in sic ply hir fand,
For verray pietie scho began to greit,
Syne confort hir with wordis hunny sweit. 315
c Quhy ly $e thus ? ryse vp my sister deir,
Cum to ^our meit, this perrell is ouer past.’
The vther answerit hir w;t^ heuie cheir,
* I may not eit, sa sair I am agast ;
I had leuer thir fourtie dayis fast, 320
With watter caill and to gnaw ben is and peis,
Than all $our feist in this dreid and diseis.’
F. 10 b. With fair tretie ^it scho gart hir ryse,
And to the burde thay went and to gidder sat ;
And skantlie had thay drunkin anis or twyse, 325
Quhen in come gib hunter, o«r Iolie cat,
And bad god speid : the burges vp with that,
And till hir hoill scho went as fyre on flint :
Bawdronis the vther be the bak hes hint.
Digitized by L^ooQle
26
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
Fra fute to fute he kest hir to and fra, 330
Quhylis vp, quhylis doun, als cant as ony kid ;
Quhylis wald he lat hir rin vnder the stra,
Quhylis wald he wink, and play with hir buk heid.
Thus to the selie Mous greit pane he did,
Quhill at the last, throw fortune and gude hap, 335
Betuix ane burde and the wall scho crap.
And vp in haist behind ane parralling
Scho clam so hie, that Gilbert micht not get hir,
Syne be the cluke thair craftelie can hing,
Till he wes gane, hir cheir wes all the better. 340
Syne doun scho lap quhen thair wes nane to let hir,
And to the Burges Mous loud can scho cry :
‘ Fairweill, sister, thy Feist heir I defy !
‘ Thy mangerie is mingit all with cair,
Thy guse is gude, thy gansell sour as gall ; 345
The subcharge of thy seruice is bot sair,
Sa sail thow find efterwart na faill.
I thank 3one courtyne and 3one perpall wall
Of my defence now fra ane crewell beist.
Almychtie God, keip me fra sic ane Feist ! 350
C c Wer I into the kith that I come fra,
For weill nor wo suld neuer cum agane.*
With that scho tuke hir leif and furth can ga,
Quhylis throw the corne, & quhylis throw the plane ;
Quhen scho wes furth and fre, scho wes full fane, 355
And merilie markit vnto the mure :
I can not tell how weill thairefter scho fure.
Digitized by
Google
THE TWO MICE.
2 7
[harleian
Fra fute to fute he kest hir to and fra, 330
Quhilis vp, quhilis doun, als cant as ony kid ;
Quhilis wald he lat hir rin vnder the stra,
Quhilis wald he wink, and play w/t h hir bukheid.
Thus to the selie mous grit pane he did,
Quhill at the last, throw fortoun and gude hap, 335
Betuix ane burde and the wall scho crap.
And vp in haist behind ane parraling
Scho clam sa hie, that gilbert mychi not get hir,
Syne be the cluke thair craftelie can hing,
Till he was gane, hir cheir was all the better. 340
Syne doun scho lap quhen thair was nane to lat hir,
And to the burges mouft loud can scho cry :
* Fairweill, sister, thy feist heir I defy !
F. ii a . * Thy mangerie is mingit ail w ixh cair,
Thy guse is gude, thy gansell sour as gall ; 345
The subcharge of thy seruice is bot sair, 1
Sa sail thow find heirefterwart na fall.
I thank ^one courtyne and ^one perpall wall
Of my defence now fra ^one crewell beist.
Almyc^tie god, keip me fra sic ane feist ! 350
* Wer I in to the kith that I come fra,
For weill nor wa suld I neuer cum agane.’
With that scho tuik hir leue and furth can ga,
Quhilis throw the corne, and quhilis throw the plane ;
Quhen scho was furth and fre, scho was full fane, 355
And merilie merkit vnto the mure :
I can not tell how weill thairefter scho fure.
1 MS. fair.
Digitized by L^ooQle
28
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
C Bot I hard say scho passit to hir den,
Als warme as woll, 1 suppose it wes not greit,
Full beinly stuffit, baith but and ben, 360
Of Beinis, and Nuttis, Peis, Ry, and Quheit:
Quhen euer scho list, scho had aneuch to eit,
In quyet and eis, withoutin ony dreid :
Bot to hir sisteris feist na mair scho 3eid.
Moralitas.
Freindis, 3e may find, and 3e will tak heid, 365
In to this fabill ane gude moralitie ;
As fitchis myngit ar with nobill seid,
Swa intermynglit is aduersitie
And als troubill, and sum vexatioun,
With eirthlie ioy, swa that na estait is fre, 370
That ar not content of small possessioun,
And namelie thay quhilk climmis vp maist hie. 2
Blissit be sempill lyfe withoutin dreid ;
Blissit be sober feist in quietie :
Quha hes aneuch, of na mair hes he neid, 375
Thocht it be lytill into quantitie.
Greit aboundance and blind prosperitie
Oftymes makis ane euill conclusioun ;
The sweitest lyfe, thairfoir, in this cuntrie
Is sickernes, with small possessioun. 380
1 Orig. ‘weill.’
2 Cf. the order of 11 . 369-372 with that of 11 . 369-372 on p. 29.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE TWO MICE.
29
Bot I hard say scho passit to hir den,
Als warme as woll, suppois it was not greit,
Full benelie stuffit, baith but and ben,
Of beinis, and nuttis, peift, ry, and quhite ;
Quhen euer scho list, scho had aneuch to eit,
In quiet and eis, withouttin ony dreid :
Bot to hir sisteris feist na mair scho ^eid.
f. 11 *. dfcoraUtaa.
jftCittbiSt 3e may find, and ^e will tak heid,
In to this fabill ane gude moralitie ;
As fytchis myngit ar with noble seid,
Swa intermynglit is aduersitie
With eirdlie Ioy ; swa that na estait is fre,
Without trubill and sum vexatioun :
As namelie thay quhilk clywmis vp maist hie,
That ar not content with small possessioun.
Blissit be sempill lyfe withouttin dreid ;
Blissit be sober feist in quietie :
Quha hes aneuch, of na mair hes he neid,
Thocht it be litill in to quantitie.
Grit aboundance and blind prosperitie
Oftymes makis ane euill conclusioun ;
The sweitest lyfe, thairfoir, in this cuntrie
Is sickemes, with small possessioun.
O wantoun man ! that vsis for to feid
Thy wambe, and makis it ane god to be,
Luik to thy self ; I wame the weill, but dreid,
The cat cuwmis, and to the mouft hes ee :
Quhat vaillis than thy feist and ryaltie,
F. 1* «. With dreidfull hart and tribulatioun ?
Best thing in eird thairfoir, I say, for me,
Is blyithnes in hart, w/tfc small possessioun.
[harleian
360
365
370
375
380
385
Digitized by L^ooQle
30
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
C Thy awin fyre, my freind, sa it be bot ane gleid,
It warmis weill, and is worth Gold to the ;
And Solomon sayis, gif that thow will reid,
1 Vnder the heuin thair can not better be,
Than ay be blyith and leif in honesties 385
Quhairfoir I may conclude be this ressoun :
Of eirthly ioy it beris maist degre,
Blyithnes in hart, with small possessioun.
Finis.
THE TAILL OF SCHIR CHANTECLEIR
AND THE FOXE.
T HOCHT brutall beistis be Irrationally
That is to say, wantand discretioun, 390
3it ilk ane in thair kynde naturall
Hes mony diuers inclinatioun ;
The Bair busteous, the Wolf, the wylde Lyoun,
The Foxe semis craftie and cautelous,
The Dog to bark on nicht and keip the hous. 395
Sa different thay ar in properteis,
Unknawin to man, and sa infinite,
In kynd hauand sa fell diuersiteis,
My cunning is excludit for to dyte ;
For thy as now I purpose for to wryte 400
Ane cais I fand, quhilk fell this ather 3eir,
Betuix ane Foxe and ane gentill Chantecleir.
1 Orig. ‘ Irrationabill. ,
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE COCK AND THE FOX.
31
[harleian
Thy awin fire, my freind, sa it be bot ane gleid,
It warmes weill, and is wirth gold to the ; 390
And Salomon sayis, gif that thow will reid,
‘ Vnder the heuin thair can not better be,
Than ay be blyith and leue in honestie.*
Quhairfoir I may conclude be this ressoun :
Of eirdlie Ioy it beris maist degre, 395
Blithnes in hart, with small possessioun.
*. Gbe taiU of scbir cbantccletr
anb tbe Jfoye.
'TT'bOCbt brutall beistis be Irrationall,
That is to say, wantand discretioun,
3it ilk ane in thair kynde naturale
Hes mony diueris inclinatioun ;
The bair boustious, the wolf, the wylde lyoun,
The fox fein^eit, craftie and cawtelous,
The dog to bark on nycht and keip the houft.
400
Sa different thay ar in properteis,
Vnknawin to man, and sa infinite, 405
In kynd havand sa fell deuersiteis,
My cunning is excludit for to dyte ;
Forthy as now I purpois for to write
Ane cais I fand, quhilk fell this ather 3eir,
Betuix ane foxe and ane gentill chantecleir. 410
Digitized by Tooele
32
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
C Ane Wedow duelt in till ane drop thay dayis,
Quhilk wan hir fude of spinning on hir Rok ;
And na mair had forsuth, as the fabill sayis, 405
Except of hennis scho had ane lytill flok ;
And thame to keip scho had ane iolie Cok,
Richt curageous, that to this wedow ay
Deuydit nicht, and crew befoir the Day.
C Ane lytill fra this foirsaid Wedowis hous, 410
Ane thomie schaw thair wes of greit defence,
Quhairin ane Foxe, craftie and cautelous,
Maid his repair and daylie residence :
Quhilk to this Wedow did greit violence,
In pyking of pultrie baith day and nicht, 415
And na way be reuengit on him scho micht.
This wylie Tod, quhen that the Lark couth sing,
Full sair hungrie vnto the Toun him drest,
Quhair Chantecleir in to the gray dawing,
Werie for nycht, wes flowin fra his nest. 420
Lowrence this saw, and in his mynd he kest
The Ieperdie, the wayis, and the wyle,
Be quhat menis he micht this Cok begyle.
Dissimuland in to countenance and cheir,
On kneis fell, and simuland this he said : 425
* Gude morne, my maister, gentill Chantecleir ! *
With that the Cok start bakwart in ane braid.
1 Schir, be my Saule, 3e neid not be effrayit,
Nor 3it for me to start, nor fle abak ;
I come bot heir, seruice to 30W to mak. 430
Digitized by L^OOQle
THE COCK AND THE FOX.
33
Ane wedow duelt in to ane drop thay dayis,
Quhilk wan hir fude of spinning on hir rok ;
And na mair had forsuith, as the fabill sayis,
Except of hennis scho had ane litill flok ;
And thame to keip scho had ane iolie cok,
F. 13 a. Richt curagious, that to this wedow ay
Deuidit nycht, and crew before the day.
Ane litill fra this foirsaid wedowis houft,
Ane thomie schaw thair was of grit defence,
Quhairin ane fox, craftie and cautelous,
Maid his repair and daylie residence :
Quhilk to the wedow did grit violence,
In pyking of pultrie baith day and nycht,
And na way be reuengit on him scho mycht.
This wylie tod, quhen that the lark couth sing,
Full sair hungrie vnto the toun him drest,
Quhair chantecleir in to the gray dawing,
Werie for nycht, was flowin fra his nest.
Lowrence this saw, and 1 in his mynde he kest
The Ieperdie, the wayis, and the wyle,
Be quhat menis he mycht this cok begile.
Dissimuland in to countenance and cheir,
On kneis fell, and simuland thus he said :
* Gude mome, my maister, gentill chantecleir ! *
F. 13 b. With that the cok start bakwart in ane braid.
* Schir, be my saule, ^e neid not be affraid,
Nor ^it for me to start, nor fle abak ;
I come bot heir, seruice to 30W to mak.
1 Repeated twice in the MS.
VOL. II.
[harleian
415
420
425
430
435
Digitized by L^ooQle
34
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
* Wald I not serue to 30W, it war bot blame,
As I haif done to 30m* progenitouris :
3 our Father full oft fillit hes my wame,
And send me meit fra midding to the muris ;
And at his end I did my besie curis, 435
To hald his heid, and gif him drinkis warme
Syne at the last, the Sweit swelt in my arme/
C * Knew 3e my Father ? 9 quod the Cok, and leuch.
‘ 3 ea, my fair Sone, I held vp his heid,
Quhen that he deit vnder ane birkin beuch ; 440
Syne said the Dirige, quhen that he wes deid.
Betuix vs twa how suld thair be ane feid ?
Quhame suld 3e traist bot me, Jour Seruitour,
That to 3our Father did sa greit honour?
c Quhen I behald 3our fedderis fair and gent, 445
3our beik, 3our breist, 3our hekill, and jour came,
Schir, be my Saull, and the blissit Sacrament,
My hart is warme ; me think, I am at hame :
To mak 30W blyith, I wald creip on my wame
In froist, in snaw, in wedder wan and weit, 450
And lay my Lyart loikkis vnder 3our feit/
This fenjeit Foxe, fals and dissimulate,
Maid to this Cok ane cauillatioun :
‘ 3e ar, me think, changit and degenerate
Fra 3our Father of his conditioun ; 455
Of craftie crawing he micht beir the Croun,
For he wald on his tais stand and craw ;
This was na le ; I stude besyde and saw/
Digitized by L^OOQle
THE COCK AND THE FOX.
35
[harleian
Wald I not serue to 30W, it war bot blame,
As I haif done to ^our progenitouris :
3our father full oft fillit hes my wame,
And send me meit fra midding to the muris ;
And at his end I did my besie curis,
To hald his heid, and gif him drinkis warme ;
Syne at the last, the sweit swelt in my arme/
‘ Knew $e my father ? 9 quod the cok, and leuch.
‘ my fair sone, I held vp his heid,
Quhen that he deit vnder ane birkin beuch ;
Syne said the dirigie, quhen that he was deid.
Betuix ws twa how suld thair be ane feid ? 450
Quhome suld }e traist bot me, $our semitour,
That to ^our father did sa grit honour?
440
445
‘ Quhen I behald }our fedderis fair & gent,
3our beik, $our breist, }our hekill, and }our kame,
F. 14 a. Schir, be my saule, and the blissit sacrament, 455
My hart is warme ; me think, I a m at hame :
To mak 30W blyith, I wald creip on my wame
In frost, in snaw, in wedder wan and weit,
And lay my lyart loikkis vnder $our feit.’
This fein^eit foxe, fals and dissimulate, 460
Maid to this cok ane cauellatioun :
‘ 3e ar, me think, changit and degenerate
Fra $our father of his conditioun ;
Of craftie crawing he mycht beir the croun,
For he wald on liis tais stande and craw ; 465
This was na le ; I stuid beside and saw.*
Digitized by L^ooQle
36
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
With that the Cok, vpon his tais hie,
Kest vp his beik, and sang with all his micht. 460
Quod Schir Lowrence, ‘ weill said, sa mot I the,
3 e ar 30m Fatheris Sone and air vpricht ;
Bot of his cunning 3it 3e want ane slicht,
For/ quod the Tod, ‘he wald, and haif na dout,
Baith wink and craw and turne him thryis about/ 465
The Cok, infect with wind and fals vanegloir,
That mony puttis vnto confusioun,
Traisting to win ane greit worschip thairfoir,
Vnwarlie winkand, wawland vp and doun,
And syne to chant and craw he maid him boun. 470
And suddandlie, be he had crawin ane note,
The Foxe wes war and hint him be the throte.
C Syne to the woid but tarie with him hyit,
Of that cryme haifand but lytill dout.
With that Pertok, Sprutok, and Toppok cryit; 475
The Wedow hard, 1 and with ane cry come out ;
Seand the cace, scho sichit and gaif ane schout :
‘ How, murther, hay ! ’ with ane hiddeous beir,
‘ Allace, now lost is gen till Chantecleir ! ’
As scho wer woid, with mony 3ell and cry, 480
Ryuand hir hair, vpon hir breist can beit,
Syne paill of hew, half in ane extasie,
Fell doun for cair in swoning and in sweit.
With that the selie hennis left thair meit,
And, quhill this wyfe wes lyand thus in swoun, 485
Fell in that cace in disputatioun.
1 MS. * cryit/ See pp. 37, 246.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE COCK AND THE FOX.
37
[harleian
With that the cok, vpoun his tais he,
Kest vp his beik, and sang with all his mycht.
Quod schir lowrence, ‘ weill said, sa mot I the,
3e ar ^our fatheris sone and air vpricht ; 470
Bot of his cunning $it ^e want ane slicht,
For/ quod the tod, ‘ he wald, and haif na dout,
Baith wink and craw and turne him thryis about.’
The cok, infect with wind and fals vane gloir,
F. 14 b. That mony puttis vnto confusioun, 475
Traisting to win ane grit worschip thairfoir,
Vnwarlie winkand, wawland vp and doun,
And syne to chant and craw he maid him boun.
And suddantlie, be [he] had crawin ane note,
The fox was wer and hint him be the throte. 480
Syne to the wode but tarie wit h him hyit,
Of that cryme haifand but litill dout.
With [that] pertok, sprutok, and toppok cryit ;
The wedow hard, and with ane cry come out ;
Seand the cace, scho sichit and gaif ane schout : 485
‘ How, murthour, hay ! ’ with ane hiddious beir,
‘ Allace, now lost is gentill chantecleir ! 9
As scho war wod, with mony ^ell and cry,
Rywand hir hair, vpoun hir breist can beit,
Syne pale of hew, half in ane extasie, 490
Fell doun for cair in swoning and in sweit.
With that the selie hennis left thair meit,
And, quhill this wyfe wes Hand this in swoun,
Fell in that cace in disputatioun.
Digitized by L^ooQle
38
THE FABLES.
CHARTER! s]
1 Allace, * quod Pertok, makand sair murning,
With teiris greit attour hir cheikis fell,
c Bone wes our drowrie, and our dayis darling,
Our Nichtingaill, and als our Orlege bell, 490
Oure walkryfe watche, vs for to warne and tell,
Quhen that Aurora, with hir curcheis gray,
Put vp hir heid betuix the nicht and day.
* Quha sail our Lemman be ? quha sail vs leid ?
Quhen we ar sad, quha sail vnto ws sing? 495
With his sweit Bill he wald brek vs the breid :
In all this warld wes thair ane kynder thing ?
In paramouris he wald do vs piesing
At his power, as nature did him geif ;
Now efter him, allace, how sail we leif ? J 500
C Quod Sprutok than : ‘ Ceis sister of 30m sorrow ;
3e be to mad for him ; sic murning mais :
We sail fair weill ; I find, Sanct Iohne to borrow,
The Prouerb sayis, “ als gude lufe cummis as gais ” :
I will put on my haly dayis claithis, 505
And mak me fresche agane this Iolie May,
And chant this sang, “ wes neuer Wedow sa gay ! ”
‘ He wes angrie and held vs ay in aw,
And woundit with the speir of Ielowsie ;
Of chalmerglew, Pertok, full weill 3e knaw, 510
Waistit he wes, of Nature cauld and dry.
Sen he is gone, thairfoir, Sister, say I,
Be blyith in baill, for that is best remeid :
Let quik to quik, and deid ga to the deid.’
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE COCK AND THE FOX.
39
[harleian
F. is a . * Allace, * quod pertok, makand sair 1 mumi«g, 495
With teiris grit attour hir cheikis fell,
c 3 one wes oure drowrie, and oure day is darling,
Oure nichtingall, and als oure orlege bell,
Oure walkryfe watche, ws for to warne and tell,
Quhen that aurora, with hir curcheis gray, 500
Put vp hir heid betuix the nicht and day.
1 Quha sail our lammen be ? quha sail ws leid ?
Quhen we ar sad, quha sail vnto ws sing ?
With his sweit bill he wald brek ws the breid :
In all this warld was thair ane kynder thing? 505
In paramouris he wald do ws pleising
At his powar, as nature did him geif ;
Now efter him, allace, how sail we leif?*
Quod sprutok than : 1 ceis sister of 3our sorrow ;
3e be to mad for him ; sic murning mais : 510
We sail fair weill ; I find, sanct Iohnne to borrow,
The prouerbe sayis, “ als gude luif cnmmis as gais ” :
I will put on my haly dayis clais,
And mak me fresche agane this Iolie may,
And chant this sang, “ was neuer wedow sa gay ! " 515
F. 15 b. 1 He was angrie and held ws ay in aw,
And woundit w ixh the speir of Ielowsie ;
Of chalmer glew, full weill, pertok, }e knaw,
Waistit he was, of nature cauld and dry.
Sen he is gone, thairfoir, sister, say I, 520
Be blyith in baill, for that is best remeid :
Let quik to quik, and deid ga to the deid.*
1 MS. ? ‘fair.’
Digitized by L^ooQle
40
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
Than Pertok spak with fen3eit faith befoir : 515
‘ In lust but lufe he set all his delyte 1 ;
Sister, wate, of sic as him ane scoir
Wald not suffice to slaik our appetyte.
I hecht 2 be my hand, sen he is quyte,
Within ane oulk, for schame and I durst speik, 520
To get ane berne suld better claw my breik.*
Than Toppok lyke ane Curate spak full crous :
1 3one wes ane verray vengeance from the heuin ;
He wes sa lous, and sa lecherous ;
He had,’ quod scho, ‘kittokis ma than seuin; 525
Bot rychteous God, haldand the balandis euin,
Smytis richt sair, thocht he be patient,
For Adulterie that will thame not repent.
C ‘ Prydefull he wes, and ioyit of his sin,
And comptit not for Goddis fauour nor feid, 530
Bot traistit ay to rax and sa to rin,
Quhill at the last his sinnis can him leid
To schamefull end, and to ^one suddand Deid ;
Thairfoir it is the verray hand of God
That causit him be werryit with the Tod.’ 535
Quhen this wes said, this Wedow fra hir swoun
Start vp on fute, and on hir kennettis cryit,
* How ! berk, 3 Berrie, Bausie Broun,
Rype schaw, Rin weill, Curtes, Nuttieclyde,
To gidder all but grunching furth 3e glyde ! 540
Reskew my Nobill Cok, or he be slane,
Or ellis to me se }e cum neuer agane.*
1 Of. p. 247, 1. 128. 2 See p. 247, 1. 131. 8 Cf. p. 248, 1. 150.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE COCK AND THE FOX.
41
[harleian
Than pertok spak with fein^eit faith befoir :
* In lust but lufe he set all his delite 1 ;
Sister, 3e wate, of sic as him ane scoir 525
Wald not suffice to slaik oure appetyte.
I hecht 2 be my hand, sen he is quite,
Within ane oulke, for schame and I durst speik,
To get ane beme suld better claw our breik.’
Than tappok like ane curate spak full crous : 530
1 Jone was ane verray vengeance frome the hevin ;
He was sa louft, and sa lecherous ;
He had/ quod scho, ‘ kittokis ma than sevine ;
Bot rychtiouft god, haldand the ballandis evin,
Smytis richt sair, thocht he be patient, 535
For adulterie that will thame not repent
16 a. ‘Prydfull he was, and Ioyit of his sin,
And comptit not for goddis fauour nor feid,
Bot traistit ay to rax and sa to rin,
Quhill at the last his sinnis can him leid 540
To schamefull end, and to }one suddane deid ;
Thairfoir it is the verray hand of god
That causit him be werryit with the tod. 1
Quhen this was said, this wedow fra hir swoun
Start vp on fute, and on hir kennettis cryde, 545
‘ How 1 bark, 8 berrie, bawsie broun,
Rypeschaw, rinweill, curtes, nuttieclyde,
To gidder all but grunching furth $e glide !
Reskew my nottte cok, or he be slane,
Or ellis to me se 3e cum neuer agane/ 550
Cf. p. 247, 1 . 128. 2 See p. 247, 1 . 131. 3 Cf. p. 248, 1 . 150.
Digitized by L^ooQle
42
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
With that, but baid, thay braidit ouer the bent ;
As fyre of flint thay ouer the feildis flaw,
Full wichtlie thay throw woid and watteris went, 545
And ceissit not schir Lowrence quhill thay saw.
Bot quhen he saw the kennetis cum on raw,
Unto the Cok in mynd he said : ‘ God sen
That I and thow wer fairlie in my den/
Than said the Cok, with sum gude Spirit inspyrit, 550
‘ Do my counsall, and I sail warrand the ;
Hungrie thow art, and for greit trauell tyrit,
Richt faint of force, and may not ferther fle :
Swyith turne agane, and say, that I and 3e
Freindis ar maid and fellowis for ane 3eir ; 555
Than will thay stint, I stand for it, and not steir/
C This Tod, thocht he wes fals and friuolous,
And had frawdis 1 his querreli to defend,
Desauit wes be menis richt meruelous ;
For falset fail^eis ay at the latter end. 560
He start about and cryit as he wes kend ;
With that the Cok he braid out of 2 the beuch.
Now luge ^e all quhairat Schir Lowrence leuch.
Begylit thus, the Tod vnder the tre
On kneis fell, and said, ‘gude Chantecleir, 565
Cum doun agane, and I, but meit or fey,
Salbe 3our man and seruand for ane 3eir/
‘ Na, fals theif and reuar, stand not me neir ;
My bludie hekill and my nek sa bla
Hes partit freindschip for euer betwene vs twa. 570
1 Orig. ‘freindis/ 2 See p. 249, 1 . 174.
Digitized by L^OOQle
THE COCK AND THE FOX.
43
[harleian
With that, but baid, thay braidit ouer the bent ;
As fyre of flint thay ouer the feildis flaw,
Full 1 wichtilie thay throw wod and watteris we«t,
And ceissit not schir lawrence quhill thay saw.
Bot quhen he saw the kennetis cum on raw, 555
Vnto the cok he said in mynde : ‘ god sen
That I and thow wer fairlie in my den.’
F. 16 b. Than said the cok, with sum gude spreit inspyrit,
‘ Do my counsale, and I sail warrand the ;
Hungrie thow art, and for grit trauell tyrit, 560
Richt faint of force, and may not ferther flie :
Swyith turne agane, and say, that I and ^e
Freindis ar maid and fellowis for ane ^eir ;
Than will thay stint, I stand for it, and not steir/
This tod, thocht he was fals and friuolous, 565
And had frawdis his querell to defend,
Dissauit was be menis richt meruelous ;
For falset failjeis ay at the letter end.
He start about and cryit as he was kend ;
With that the cok he braid out of 2 the bewche. 570
Now luge }e all quhair at schir [lowrence] lewche.
Begylit thus, the tod vnder the tre
On kneis fell, and said, i gude chantecleir,
Cum doun agane, and I, but meit or fe,
Sail be 3our man and seruand for ane ^eir.* 575
‘ Na, fals theif and reuar, stand not me neir ;
My bludy hekill and my nek sa bla
Hes pa/rtit freindschip for euer betwene ws twa.
1 MS. ‘throw.’ See p. 42. 2 See p. 249, 1 . 174.
Digitized by L^ooQle
44
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
‘ I wes vnwyse that winkit at thy will,
Quhairthrow almaist I loissit had my held.’
‘ I wes mair fule,’ quod he, ‘ to be sa still, 1
Quhairthrow to put my play in to pleid.’
‘ Fair on, fals theif, God keip me fra thy feid.’ 575
With that the Cok ouer the feildis tuke his flicht,
And in at the Wedowis Luwer couth he licht.
Moralitas.
NOW, worthie folk, suppose this be ane Fabill,
And ouerheillit with typis figurall,
3it may }e find ane sentence richt agreabill, 580
Under thir fenjeit termis textuall :
To our purpose this Cok weill may we call
Nyse proud men, woid and vanegloreous
Of kin and blude, quhilk is presumpteous.
C Fy ! puft vp pryde, thow is full poysonabill ; 585
Quha fauoris the on force man haif ane fall.
Thy strenth is nocht, thy stule standis vnstabill ;
Tak witnes of the Feyndis Infernall,
Quhilk houndit doun wes fra that heuinlie hall
To Hellis hole, and to that hiddeous hous, 590
Becaus in pryde thay wer presumpteous.
This fenjeit Foxe may weill be figurate
To flatteraris with 2 plesand wordis quhyte,
With fals mening and mynd maist toxicate,
To leif and le that settis thair haill delyte. 595
All worthie folk at sic suld haif despyte ;
For quhair is thair mair perrillous pestilence
Nor 3 gif to learis haistelie credence?
1 See p. 249, 1 . 185. 2 Orig. ‘richt.’ 3 See p. 250.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE COCK AND THE FOX.
45
[harleian
F. 1 7 a. ‘I was vnwyse that winkit at thy will,
Quhairthrow almaist I loissit had my heid.* 580
i I was mair fule,* quod he, ‘ to be sa still, 1
Quhairthrow to put my pray in to pleid.’
‘ Fair on, fals theif, god keip me fra thy feid.*
With that the cok ouer the feildis tuke his flicht,
And in at the wedowis lewer couth lie lycht. 585
ASoralitas.
HOW, worthie folk, suppois this be ane fabill,
And ouerheillit with typis figurall,
3it may }e find ane sentence richt agreabte,
Vnder thair fein^eit termes textuale :
To oure purpois this cok weill may we call 590
Nyse proud men, wod and vane glorious
Of kin and blude, quhilk ar presumpteous.
This fein^eit fox may weilbe figurate
To flatteraris with plesand wordis quhite,
With fals menitfg and mynd maist toxicate 595
To loif and le that settis thair haill delite.
F. 17 b . All worthie folk at sic sould haif dispite ;
For quhair is thair mair perrelous pestilence
Nor 2 gif to learis haistelie credence?
1 See p. 249, 1 . 185. 2 See p. 250.
Digitized by L^OOQle
46
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
The 1 wickit mynd and Adulatioun,
Of sucker sweit haifand the similitude, 600
Bitter as gall, and full of poysoun,
To taist 2 it is, quha cleirlie vnderstude.
For thy, as now schortlie to conclude,
Thir twa sinnis, flatterie and vaneglore,
Ar mannis enemeis ; gude folk, fie thame thairfoir ! 605
Finis.
C THE TAILL HOW THIS FOIRSAID TOD
MAID HIS CONFESSIOUN TO FREIR
WOLF WAITSKAITH.
L EIF we this Wedow glaid, I 30 w assure,
-/ Of Chantecleir mair blyith than I can tell,
And speik we of the subtell auenture
And destenie that to this Foxe befell,
Quhilk durst na mair with waiting Intermell, 610
Als lang as leme or licht wes of the day,
Bot, bydand nicht, full still lurkand he lay,
C Quhill that 8 the Goddes of the flude
Phebus had callit to the harberie,
And Hesperous put up his cluddie heid, 615
Schawand his lustie wisage in the sky.
Than Lowrence luikit vp, quhair he couth ly,
And kest his hand vpon his Ee on hicht,
Merie and glaid that cummit wes the nicht.
1 Orig. ‘Hie.’ 2 Orig. ‘traist.* 8 See p. 251, 1. 8.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE FOX AND THE WOLF.
47
[harleian
The wickit mynd and adullatioun,
Of sucker sweit haifand the similitude,
Bitter as gall, and full of poysoun,
To taist it is, quha cleirlie vnderstude.
For thy, as now schortlie to conclude,
Thir twa sinnis, flatterie and vane gloir,
Ar vennomous ; gude folk, flie thame thairfoir !
f.i 8* tCbe tatll bow tbts folroalb £ob malb
bio confesstoun to frelr wolf wait*
sbaltb.
X eif WC this wedow glaid, I 30W assure,
Of chantecleir mair blyth than I can tell,
And speik we of the subtell auenture
And destenie that to this foxe befell, 610
Quhilk durst na mair with wayting intermell,
Als lang as leme or licht was of the day,
Bot, bydand nicht, full still lurkand he lay,
Quhill that 1 the goddes of the flude
Phebus had callit to the harberie, 615
And hesperous put up his cluddie hude,
Schawand his lustie visage in the sky.
Than lawrence luikit up, quhair he culd ly,
And kest his hand upoun his Ee on hicht,
Merie and glaid that cuwmit wes the nycfa. 620
1 See p. 251, 1. 8.
Digitized by L^OOQle
48
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
Out of the wod vnto ane hill he went, 620
Quhair he micht se the tuinkling sternis cleir,
And all the Planetis of the firmament,
Thair cours, and eik thair mouing in the Spheir,
Sum Retrograde, and sum Stationer,
And of the 3 odiak, in quhat degre 625
Thay wer ilk ane, as Lowrence leirnit me.
Than Saturne auld was enterit in Capricorne,
And Iuppiter mouit in Sagittarie,
And Mars vp in the Rammis heid wes borne,
And Phebus in the Lyoun furth can carie ; 630
Venus the Crab, the Mone wes in Aquarie ;
Mercurius, the God of Eloquence,
Into the Uirgyn maid his residence.
Bot Astrolab, Quadrant, and Almanak,
Teichit of nature be Instructioun, 635
The mouing of the heuin this Tod can tak,
Quhat influence and Constellatioun
Wes like to fall vpon the eirth adoun ;
And to him self he said, withouttin mair,
‘ Weill worth my Father, that send me to the lair. 640
* My destenie and eik my weird I ken 1 ;
My auentour is cleirlie to me kend ;
With mischeif myngit is my mortall Ene 2 ;
My misleuing the soner bot gif I mend :
It is rewaird of sin ane schamefull end. 645
Thairfoir I will ga seik sum Confessour,
And schryif me clene of my sinnis to this hour.
1 See p. 252. 2 See pp. 49, 252.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE FOX AND THE WOLF.
49
[harleian
Out of the wod in to ane hill he went,
Quhair he micht se the tuinkling stems cleir,
F. 18 b. And all the planeitis of the firmament,
Thair courft, and eik thair moving in the spheir,
Sum retrograde, and sum stationeir, 625
And of the ^odiake, in quhat degre
Thay wer ilkane, as lowrence leirnit me.
Than satume auld was enterit in capricome,
And Iuppiter movit in sagittarie,
And mars up in the ramms heid was borne, 630
And phebus in the lyoun furth can carie ;
Venus the crab, the mone was in aquarie ;
Mercurius, the god of eloquence,
In to the virgyne maid his residence.
Bot astrolab, quadrant, and almanak, 635
Teichit of nature be instructioun,
The moving of the heuin this [tod] can tak,
Quhat influence and constellatioun
Was like to fall vpoun the eirth adoun ;
And to him self he said, withouttin mair, 640
‘Weill worth my father, that send me to the lair.
F. 19 a. ‘ My destenie and eik my weird I ken 1 ;
My auenture is cleirlie to me kend ;
With mischeif myngit is my mortale men 2 ;
My misleui«g the soner bot gif I mend : 645
It is rewaird of sin ane schamefull end.
Thairfoir I will ga seik sum confessour,
And schryif me clene of my synnis to this hour.
1 See p. 252. 2 See pp. 48, 252.
VOL. II. D
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE FABLES.
SO
CHARTERIS]
‘ Allace/ quod he, ‘ richt waryit ar we theifis ;
Our lyifis set ilk nicht in auenture ;
Our cursit craft full mony man mischeuis ; 650
For euer we steill, and euer ar lyke pure :
In dreid and schame our dayis we Indure ;
Syne widdinek and Crakraip callit als,
And till our hyre hangit vp be the hals.’
Accusand thus his cankerit conscience, 655
In to ane Craig he kest about his Ee ;
So saw he cummand, ane lytill than from [tjhence,
Ane worthie Doctour in diuinitie,
Freir Wolf Waitskaith, in science wonder sle,
To preiche and pray wes new cu^mit fra the Cloister, 660
With Beidis in hand, sayand his Pater noster.
Seand this Uolf, this wylie tratour Tod
On kneis fell, w*t£ hude in to his nek :
‘ Welcome, my Goistlie Father vnder God/
Quod he, with mony binge and mony bek. 665
< Ha/ quod the wolf, ‘ Schir Tod, for quhat effek
Mak ^e sic feir? ryse vp, put on 30m: hude/
‘ Father/ quod he, ‘ I haif greit cause to dude.
1 3 e ar Mirrour, Lanterne, and sicker way,
Suld gyde sic sempill folk as me to grace ; 670
3 our bair feit, and 30m Russet Cowll of gray,
3our lene cheik, 3our paill pieteous face,
Schawis to me 30m perfite halines ;
For weill wer him, that anis in his lyue
Had hap to 30W his sinnis for to schryue/ 675
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE FOX AND THE WOLF.
Si
[harleian
( Allace, * quod he, * richt waryit ar we theuis ;
Our lyfis set ilk nycht in auenture ; 650
Our cursit craft full mony man mischeuis ;
For euer we steill, and euer ar like pure :
In dreid and schame our dayis we indure ;
Syne widdienek and crakraip callit als,
And till oure hire hangit vp be the hals/ 655
Accusand this his cankerit conscience,
In to ane craig he kest about his Ee ;
Sa saw he cu^/and, ane litill than frome thence,
Ane wirthie doctour of diuinitie,
Freir wolf waitskaith, in science wonder slie, 660
To preich and pray wes new cuwmit fra the closter,
With beidis in hand, sayand his pater noster.
F. 19 b, Seand this wolf, this wylie tratour tod
On kneis fell, m'tk hude in to his nek :
‘ Welcome, my father, gostliest vnder god/ 665
Quod he, with mony binge and mony bek.
‘ Ha/ quod the wolf, ‘ schir tod, for quhat effek
Mak ^e sic feir ? Ryse vp, put on ^our hude/
‘ Father/ quod he, ‘ I haif grit caus to dude.
‘ Je ar mirrour, lanterne, and sicker way, 670
Suld gide sic sempill folk as me to grace ;
Jour bairfeit, and 3our russat coule of gray,
3our lene cheik, ^our paill pietious face,
Schawis to me ^our p^rfite halienes ;
For weill war him, that anis in his lyfe 675
Had hap to 30W his sinnis for to schriue/
Digitized by L^ooQle
52
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
C ‘Na, selie Lowrence/ quod the Uolf, and leuch :
‘ It plesis me that 3e ar penitent.’
‘ Of reif and stouth, schir, I can tell aneuch,
That causis me full sair for to repent ;
Bot, Father, byde still heir vpon the bent, 680
I 30W beseik, and heir me to declair
My conscience that prikkis me sa sair.’
‘Weill/ quod the wolf, ‘sit doun vpon thy kne.’
And he doun bair heid sat full humillie,
And syne began with Benedicite. 685
Quhen I this saw, I drew ane lytill by,
For it effeiris nouther to heir nor spy,
Nor to reueill thing said vnder that seill :
Unto the Tod this Gait the Wolf couth tell.
‘ Art thou contrite and sorie in thy Spreit 690
For thy Trespas ? 9 ‘ Na, Schir, I can not doid :
Me think that hennis ar sa honie sweit,
And Lambis flesche that new ar lettin bluid ;
For to repent my mynd can not concluid,
Bot of this thing, that I haif slane sa few.’ 695
‘ Weill/ quod the wolf, ‘ in faith, thow art ane schrew.
‘ Sen thow Can not forthink thy wickitnes,
Will thow forbeir in tyme to cum, and mend ? 9
‘ And I forbeir, how sail I leif, allace,
Haifand nane vther craft me to defend? 700
Neid causis me to steill quhair euer I wend.
I eschame to thig, I can not wirk, 3e wait,
3it wald I fane pretend to gentill stait’
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE FOX AND THE WOLF.
S 3
[harleian
c Na, selie lawrence/ quod the wolf, and leuch :
‘ It plesis me that $e ar penitent/
c Of reif and stouth, schir, I can tell aneuch,
That causis me full sair for to repent ; 680
Bot, father, byde still heir vpoun the bent,
I 30W beseik, and heir me to declair
My conscience that prikkis me sa sair/
F. 20 a. ‘Weill/ quod the wolf, ‘sit doun on thy kne/
And he doun bairheid sat full humilly, 685
And syne began with benedicitie.
Quhen I this saw, I drew a litill by,
For it effeiris nouther to heir nor spy,
Nor to reuele thing said vnder that seill :
Vnto the tod this gait the wolf couth kneill. 1 690
‘ Art thou contreit and sorie in thy spreit
For thy traspas ? 9 ‘ Na, schir, I can not dude :
Me think that hennis ar sa honie sweit,
And lambes flesche that new ar lattin blude ;
For to repent my mynde can not conclude, 695
Bot of this thing, that I haif slane sa few/
‘ Weill/ quod the wolf, ‘ in faith, thow art ane schrew.
‘ Sen thow can not forthink thy wickitnes,
Will thow forbeir in tyme to cum, and mend ? *
‘And I forbeir, how sail I leif, allace, 700
Haifand na vther craft me to defend ?
Neid causis me to steill quhair euer I wend.
I eschame to thig, I can not wirk, $e wait,
3it wald I fane pretend to gentill stait/
1 So MS. C£ pp. 52, 254.
Digitized by L^ooQle
54
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
C ‘ Weill,’ quod the Wolf, ‘ thow wawtis pointis twa,
Belangand to perfyte Confessioun. 705
To the thrid part of penitence let vs ga :
Will thow talc pane for thy transgressioun ? ’
‘ Na, Schir, considder my Complexioun,
Selie and waik, and of my Nature tender,
Lo, will 3e se, I am baith lene and sklender. 710
‘ 3it, neuertheles, I wald, swa it wer licht,
Schort, and not greuand to my tendernes,
Tak part of pane, fulfill it gif I micht,
To set my selie Saull in way of grace.’
‘Thow sail,’ quod he, 'forbeir flesche vntill Pasche, 715
To tame this Corps, that cursit Carioun;
And heir I reik the full Remissioun.’
‘ I grant thairto, swa 3e will gif me leif
To eit puddingis, or laip ane lytill blude,
Or heid, or feit, or paynchis let me preif, 720
In cace I fait of flesche in to my fude.’
‘ For greit mister I gif the leif to dude
Twyse in the oulk, for neid may haif na Law.’
‘ God 3eild 30W, Schir, for that Text weill I knaw.’
Quhen this wes said, the Wolf his wayis went. 725
The Foxe on fute he fuir vnto the flude —
To fang him fische haillelie wes his intent ;
Bot quhen he saw the watter and 1 wallis wod,
Astonist all still in to ane stair he stude,
And said : ‘better that I had biddin at hame, 730
Nor bene ane Fischar in the Deuillis Name.
1 Cf. p. 255, 1 . 123.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE FOX AND THE WOLF.
55
[harleian
f. 20 b. 4 Weill/ quod the wolf, 4 thow wantis pointis twa, 705
Belangand to perfite confessioun.
To the thrid pairt of penitence let ws ga :
Will thow tak pane for thy transgressioun ? *
4 Na, schir, considder my complexioun,
Selie and waik, and of my nature tender, 710
Lo, will ^e se, I am baith lene and sklender.
4 3it, neuertheles, I wald, sa it war licht,
Schort, and not greuand to my tendemes,
Tak pairt of pane, fulfill it 1 gif I mycht,
To set my selie saule in way of grace. 1 715
4 Thow sail/ quod he, 4 forbeir flesche vntill pace,
To tame this corps, that cursit carioun ;
And heir I reik the full remissioun.*
4 1 grant thairto, swa 3e will gif me leif
To eit puddingis, or laip ane litill blude, 720
Or heid, or feit, or panchis let me preif,
In cace na flesche vnto my fude I fall/
4 1 gif the leif to gust thy mouth wit h all
Twyis in the oulk, for neid may haif na law.*
4 God $eild 30 w, schir, for that text weill I knaw/ 725
F. 21 a . Quhen this wes said, the wolf his wayis went.
The foxe on fute he fuir vnto the flude —
To fang him fische haillelie wes his intent;
Bot quhen he saw the watter and 2 wallis woude,
Astonist all still in to ane stair he stude, 730
And said : 4 better that I had biddin at hame,
Nor bene ane fischar in the deuillis name.
1 MS. fulfillit. 2 Cf. p. 255, 1 . 123.
Digitized by
56
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
C ‘ Now man I scraip my meit out of the sand,
And I haif nouther boittis nor 3U Net/
As he wes thus for fait of meit mumand,
Lukand about his leuing for to get, 735
Under ane tre he saw ane trip of Gait ;
Than wes he blyith, and in ane heuch him hid,
And fra the Gait he stall ane lytill Kid.
C Syne ouer the heuch vnto the see he hyis,
And tuke the Kid be the hornis twane, 740
And in the watter outher twyis or thryis
He dowkit him, and till him can he sayne :
* Ga doun Schir Kid, cu m vp Schir Salmond agane ! ’
Quhill he wes deid ; syne to the land him dreuch,
And of that new maid Salmond eit anewch. 745
Thus fynelie fillit with 3oung tender meit,
Unto ane derne for dreid he him addrest,
Under ane busk, quhair that the sone can beit,
To beik his breist and bellie he thocht best ;
And rekleslie he said, quhair he did rest, 750
Straikand his wame aganis the sonis heit,
* Upon this wame set wer ane bolt full meit/
Quhen this wes said, the keipar of the Gait,
Cairfull in hart his kid wes stollin away,
On euerilk syde full warlie couth he wait, 755
Quhill at the last he saw quhair Lowrence lay ;
Ane Bow he bent, ane flane with fedderis gray
He haillit to the heid, and, or he steird,
The Foxe he prikkit fast vnto the eird.
Digitized b\
Google
THE FOX AND THE WOLF.
57
[harleian
* Now mon I scraip my meit out of the sand,
And I haif nather boittis, net, nor 1 bait/
As he was thus for fait of meit mumand, 735
Luikand about his leui ng for to lait,
Vnder ane tre he saw ane trip of gait ;
Than wes he blithe, and in ane heuch him hid,
And fra the gait he stall ane litill kid.
Syne ouer the heuch vnto the see he hyis, 740
And tuik the kid be the hornis twane,
And in the watter outher twyis or thryis
He doukit him, and till him can he sayne :
‘ Ga doun schir kid, cum vp schir salmond agane ! *
Quhill he wes deid; syne to the land him drewch, 745
And of that new maid salmond eit enewch.
F. 21 b. Thus fynelie fillit with }oung tender meit,
Vnto ane derne for dreid he him addrest,
Vnder ane busk, quhair that the sone can beit,
To beik his breist and bellie he tho^t best ; 750
And rekleslie he said, quhair he did rest,
Straikand his wame aganis the sonis heit,
1 Vpoun this wame set war ane bolt full meit/
Quhen this was said, the keipare of the gait,
Cairfull in hart his kid wes stollen away, 755
On euerie side full warlie couth he wait,
Quhill at the last he saw quhair lawrence lay ;
Ane bow he bent, ane flane with fedderis gray
He haillit to the heid, and, or he steird,
The fox he prikkit fast vnto the eird. 760
1 MS. ‘boittis nor net bait.* Cf. p. 255.
Digitized by
Google
58
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
C ‘Now/ quod the Foxe, ‘allace and walkway ! 760
Gorrit I am and may na farther gang 1 ;
Me think na man may speik ane word in play,
Bot now on dayis in ernist it is tane.’
He harlit him, and out he drew his flane ;
And far his kid, and vther violence, 765
He tuik his skyn, and maid ane recompence.
Moralitas.
THIS suddand deith and vnprouysit end
Of this fals Tod, without prouisioun,
Exempill is exhortand folk to amend,
For dreid of sic ane lyke confusioun ; 770
For mony now hes gude professioun,
3it not repentis, nor for thair sinnis greit,
Because thay think thair lustie Lyfe sa sweit.
Sum bene also throw consuetude and ryte
Uincust with carnall sensualitie ; 775
Suppose thay be as for the tyme contreyte,
Can not forbeir, nor fra thair sinnis fle ;
Use drawis Nature swa in propertie
Of beist and man, that neidlingis thay man do,
As thay of lang tyme hes bene hantit to. 780
Be war, gude folk, and fair this suddane schoit,
Quhilk smytis sair withouttin resistence ;
Attend wyislie, and in 30m hartis be noit,
Aganis deith may na man mak defence ;
Ceis of 30m sin, Remord 30m: conscience, 785
Obey vnto 30m: God, and 3e sail wend,
Efter 30m deith, to blis withouttin end.
Finis.
1 Cf. p. 256.
Digitized by
Google
THE FOX AND THE WOLF.
59
22 a .
22 i.
[harleian
1 Now/ quod the foxe, * allace and wallaway !
Gorrit I am and may na ferther gang 1 ;
Me think na man may speik ane worde in play,
Bot now on dayis in eirnist it is tane.*
He harlit him, and out he. drew his flane ; 765
And for his kid, and vther violence,
He tuik his skin, and maid ane recompence.
OSoralitas,
XCbtS suddane deith and vnprouisit end
Of this fals tod, without prouisioun,
Exempill is exhortand folk to mend, 770
For dreid of sic ane like confusioun ;
For mony now hes gude professioun,
3it not repentis, nor for thair synnis greit,
Becauft thay think thair lustie lyfe sa sweit.
Sum bene also throw consuetude and ryte 775
Vincust be carnale sensualitie ;
Suppois thay be as for the tyme contreit,
Can not forbeir, nor fra thair sinnis fle ;
Vse drawis nature sa in propertie
Of beist and man, that neidlingis thay mon do, 780
As thay of dang tyme hes bene hantit to.
Bewar, gude folk, and fle this suddane schot,
Quhilk smytis sair withoutin resistence ;
Attend wyselie, and in ^our hartis be note,
Aganis deith may na man mak defence ; 785
Ceis of }our sin, remord }our conscience,
Obay vnto }our god, and }e sail wend,
Efter ^our deith, to blis withoutin end.
JFmfe.
1 Cf. p. 256.
Digitized by
Google
6o
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
C THE TAILL OF THE SONE AND AIR OF
THE FOIRSAID FOXE, CALLIT FATHER-
WER : ALSWA THE PARLIAMENT OF
FOURFUTTIT BEISTIS HALDIN BE THE
LYOUN.
T HIS foirsaid Foxe, that deit for his misdeid,
Had not ane barne wes gottin richteouslie,
Till airschip be Law that micht succeid, 790
Except ane Sone, quhilk in Adulterie
He gottin had in purches priuelie,
And till his Name wes callit Fatherwar,
That luifit weill with pultrie to tig and tar.
It followis weill be resoun naturail, 795
And gre be gre of richt comparisoun,
Of euill cummis war, of war cummis werst of all,
Of wrangous geir cummis fals possessioun. 1
This Foxe, Bastard of generatioun,
Of verray kynde behufit to be fals ; 800
Swa wes his Father and his Grandschir als.
As Nature will, seikand his meit be sent,
Of cace he fand his Fatheris Carioun,
Nakit, new slane ; and till him hes he went,
Tuke vp his heid, and on his kne fell doun, 805
Thankand greit God of that conclusioun ;
And said : ‘ now sail I bruke, sen I am air,
The boundis quhair thow wes wont for to repair.*
1 Cf. pp. 61, 258.
Digitized by
Google
THE TRIAL OF THE FOX.
6 1
[harleian
f. 22 b. $be tatll of tbe sone & air of tbe
folreaib foy, calUt father wer :
Hlswa tbe parliament of fourfuttit
Beistie balbin be tbe Xpoun.
F. 23 a. 'TT'blS foitsalb Fox, that deit for his misdeid,
Had not ane barne wes gottin richteouslie, 790
Till airschip be law that micht succeid,
Except ane sone, quhilk in adulterie
He gottin had in purches priuelie,
And till his name was callit father war,
That luifit weill with pul trie to tig and tar. 795
It followis weill be ressoun naturall,
And gre be gre of richt comparisoun,
Of euill awns war, of war cumis werst of all,
Of wrangous geir cu/wis fals successioun.
This foxe, bastard of generatioun, 800
Of verray kynde behuifit to be fals ;
Sa wes his father and his grandschir als.
As nature will, seikand his meit be sent,
Of cace he fand his fatheris carioun,
Nakit, new slane ; and till him hes he went, 805
Tuik vp his heid, and on his kne fell doun,
Thankand grit god of that conclusioun ;
And said : * Now sail I bruik, sen I am air,
The boundis quhair thow was wont for to repair.’
Digitized by L^OOQle
62
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
Fy ! Couetice, vnkynd and venemous :
The Sone wes fane he fand his Father deid, 810
Be suddan schot for deidis odious,
That he micht regne and raxe in till his steid,
Dreidand na thing the samin lyfe to leid,
In thift and reif, as did his Father befoir ;
Bot to the end attent he tuke no moir. 815
C 3 it neuertheles, throw Naturall pietie
The Carioun vpon his bak he tais :
‘ Now find I weill this Prouerb trew,’ quod he,
* “ Ay rinnis the Foxe, als lang as he fute has.” ’
Syne with the Corps vnto ane peitpoit gais, 820
Of watter full, and kest him in the deip,
And to the Deuill he gaif his banis to keip.
O fulische man ! plungit in warldlines,
To conqueis warldlie gude, golde, and rent,
To put thy Saule in pane or heuines, 825
To riche thy air, quhilk efter thow art went,
Haif he thy gude, he takis bot small tent
To execute, to do, to satisfie
Thy letter will, thy det, and legacie.
C This Tod to rest him, he passit to ane Craig, 830
And thair he harde ane buisteous Bugill blaw,
Quhilk, as he thocht, maid all the warld to wag.
Ane Unicorne come lansand ouer ane Law ;
Than start he vp, quhen he this hard and saw ;
Withe home in hand, ane bill in breist he bure, 835
Ane Pursephant semelie, I 30W assure.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE TRIAL OF THE FOX.
63
[harleian
Fy ! couetice, vnkynd and venemous : 810
F. 23 b. The sone was fane he fand his father deid,
Be suddane schot for deidis odious,
That he mycht ring and rax in to his steid,
Dreidand na thing the samyn lyfe to leid,
In thift and reif, as did his father befoir ; 815
Bot to the end attent he tuik no moir.
3it neuertheles, throw naturall pietie
The carioun vpoun his bak he tais :
‘ Now find I weill the prouerbe trew/ quod he,
‘ “ Ay rynnis the foxe, als lang as he fute hes.” r 820
Syne with the corps vnto the peitpot gais,
Of watter full, and kest him in the deip,
And to the deuill he gaif his banis to keip.
O fulische man ! plungit in warldlienes,
To conqueis warldlie gude, and golde, & rent, 825
To put thy saule in pane or heuines,
To riche thy air, quhilk efter thow art went,
Haif he thy gude, he takis bot small tent
To execute, to do, to satisfie
Thy letter will, thy det, and legacie. 830
F. 24 a. This tod to rest him, he passit to ane craig,
And thair he harde ane boustious bugill blaw,
Quhilk, as he thocht, maid all the warld to waig.
Ane vnicome come lansand ouer ane law ;
Than start he vp, quhen he this hard and saw ; 835
Withe home in hand, ane bill in breist he bure,
Ane pursehant semelie, I 30W assure.
Digitized by
Google
6 4
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
Unto ane bank, quhair he micht se about
On euerilk syde, in haist he culd him hy,
Schot out his voce full schill, and gaif ane schout,
And on this wyis twyse or thryse did cry. 840
With that the beistis in the feild thairby,
All merueland quhat sic ane thing suld mene,
Greitlie agast, thay gadderit on ane grene.
ft Out of his breist 1 ane bill sone can he braid,
And red the Text withouttin tarying : 845
Commandand silence, sadlie thus he said :
‘ The Nobill Lyoun, of all beistis the King,
Greting to God, helth euerlesting
To brutall beistis and Irrationall,
I send, as to my subiectis greit and small. 850
1 My Celsitude and hie magnificence
Lattis 30W to wit, that euin incontinent,
Thinkis the morne, with Royall diligence,
Upon this hill to hald ane Parliament ;
Straitlie thairfoir I gif Commandement 855
For to compeir befoir my Tribunall,
Under all pane and parrell that may fall/
ft The morrow come, and Phebus with his bemis
Consumit had the mistie cluddis gray ;
The ground wes grene, and als as gold it glemis, 860
With gers growand gudelie, greit, and gay ;
The spyce thay spred to spring on euerilk spray ;
The Lark, the Maueis, and the Merll full hie,
Sweitlie can sing, trippand 2 fra tre to tre.
1 MS. ‘buist.’
2 Orig. ‘creipand.’ Seep. 260. Hart, ‘tripping.’
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE TRIAL OF THE FOX.
65
[harleian
Vnto ane bank, quhair he mycht se about
On euerie side, in haist he culd him hy,
Schot out his voce full schill, and gaif a schout, 840
And on this wyis twyse or thryse culd cry.
With that the beistis in the feild thairby,
All merueland quhat sic ane thing suld mene,
Gretlie agast, thay gadderit on ane grene.
Out of ane bus ane bull sone can he braid, 845
And red the text withoutin tarying :
Con/mandand silence, sadlie thus he said :
‘ The noble lyoun, of all beistis the king,
Greting to god, health euerlesting
To brutall beistis and Irrationall, 850
I send, as to my subiectis grit and small.
F. 24 b. * My celsitude and hie magnificence
Lettis 30W to wit, that euin incontinent,
Thinkis the mome, with royell diligence,
Vpoun this hill to hald ane parliament ; 855
Straitlie thairfoir I gif commandiment
For to compeir befoir my tribunall,
Vnder all pane and parrell that may fall.*
The morrow come, and phebus w/t h his bemis
Consumit had the mistie cluddis gray ; 860
The ground was grene, and als like gold it gleznis,
With gres growand gritlie, gude, and gay ;
The spyce thay spred to spring on euerie spray ;
The lark, the maueis, and the merle full hie,
Sueitlie can sing, trippand 1 fra tre to tre. 865
1 MS. ? ‘creipand.* See opposite page.
VOL. II. E
Digitized by L^ooQle
66
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
The 1 Leopardis come with Croun of massie gold 865
Beirand they brocht vnto that hillis hicht,
With Iaspis Ionit, and Royall Rubeis rold,
And mony diueris Dyamontis dicht,
With powis proud ane Pal3eoun doun thay picht ;
And in that Throne thair sat ane wild Lyoun 870
In Rob Royal, with Sceptour, Swerd, & Croun.
Efter the tennour of the cry befoir,
That gais on all fourfuttit beistis in eirth,
As thay commandit wer withouttin moir,
Befoir thair Lord the Lyoun thay appeirit : 875
And quhat thay wer, to me as Lowrence leirit,
I sail reheirs ane part of euerilk kynd,
Als fer as now occurris to my mynd.
The Minotaur, ane Monster meruelous,
Bellerophont, that beist of Bastardrie, 880
The Warwolf, and the Pegase perillous,
Transformit be assent of sorcerie,
The Linx, the Tiger full of Tirannie,
The Elephant, and eik the Dromedarie ;
The Cameill with his Cran nek furth can carie. 885
C The Leopard, as I haif tauld befome,
The Anteloip, the Sparth furth couth speid,
The payntit Pantheir, and the Unicorne ;
The Rayndeir Ran throw Reueir, Rone, and Reid,
The Iolie Gillet, and the gen till Steid, 890
The Asse, the Mule, the Hors of euerilk kynd ;
The Da, the Ra, the hornit Hart, the Hynd.
1 Cf. p. 261.
Digitized by L^OOQle
THE TRIAL OF THE FOX.
6 /
[harleian
The 1 leopardis come with croun of massie gold
Beirand they brocht vnto that hillis hicht,
With iaspis ioynit, and royell rubeis rold,
And mony diueris dyamontis dicht,
With powis 2 proud ane pal^eoun can thay picht ; 870
And in that throne thair sat ane wyld lyoun
In rob royell, with sceptour, sword, and croun.
F. 25 a . Efter the tennowr of the cry befoir,
That gais on all fourfuttit beistis on eird,
As thay commandit war withoutin moir, 875
Befoir the lord the lioun thay appeirit :
And quhat thay wer, to me as lowrence leirit,
I sail reheirs ane pairt of euerie kynd,
Als fer as now occurris to my mynd.
The minotaur, ane monster meruelous, 880
Bellerophant, that beist of bastardrie,
The warwolf, and the pegase perillous,
Transformit be assent of sorcerie,
The linx, the tiger full of tiranie,
The elephant, and eik the dromedarie ; 885
The cameill with his cran nek furth can carie.
The leopard, as I haif tald befome,
The anteloip, the sparth furth can speid, 3
The peyntit pantheir, and the vnicorne ;
The reyndeir ran throw reueir, rone, and reid, 890
The Iolie gillet, and the gentill steid,
The asse, the mule, the horfi of euerie kynd ;
The da, the ra, the hornit hart, the hynd.
1 Cf. p. 261. 2 MS. ‘towis.’ 8 MS. ‘spreid.’
Digitized by L^ooQle
68
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
The Bull, the Beir, the Bugill, and the Bair,
The Tame Cat, Uildcat, and the Uild wod Swyne, 894
The Hardbakkit Hurcheoun, and the Hirplawd Hair,
Baith Otter and Aip, and Pennit Porcupyne ;
The Gukit Gait, the selie Scheip, the Swyne,
The wyld Once, the Buk, the Uelterand Brok,
The Fowmart with the Fibert furth can flok. 899
The gray Grewhound with Sleuthou«d furth can slyde,
With Doggis all diueris and different ;
The Rattoun ran, the Glebard furth can glyde,
The quhrynand Quhitret with the Quhaisill went,
The Feitho that hes furrit mony fent,
The Mertrik, with the Cunning and the Con, 905
The Bouranbane, 1 and eik the Lerioun.
C The Marmysset the Mowdewart couth leid,
Because that Nature denyit had hir sicht ;
Thus dressit thay all furth for dreid of deid ;
The Musk, the lytill Mous with all hir micht 910
With haist scho haikit vnto that hill of hicht ;
And mony kynd of beistis I couth not knaw,
Befoir thair Lord the Lyoun thay loutit law.
Seing thir beistis all at his bidding boun,
He gaif ane braid, and lukit him about ; 915
Than flatlingis to his feit thay fell all doun,
For dreid of deith thay droupit all in dout.
He lukit quhen that he saw thame lout,
And bad thame, with ane countenance full sweit,
‘Be not effeirit, but stand vp on 30m: feit. 920
1 Cf. p. 262. Hart, ‘ Bourabane.’
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE TRIAL OF THE FOX.
69
[harleian
f. 25 b. The bull, the beir, the bugill, and the bair,
The tame cat, wyldcat, and the wyld wod swyne, 895
The hardbakkit hurcheoun, and the hirpilland hair,
Baith otter and aip, and pennit porcupyne ;
The gukit gait, the selie scheip, the swyne,
The wyld once, the buk, the welterand brok,
The foumart with the febert furth can flok. 900
The gray grewhound with slwthound furth can slide,
With doggis all diueris and different ;
The rattoun ran, the glebard furth can glide,
The quhuirand quhitret with the quhasill went,
The feitho that hes furrit mony fent, 905
The mertrik, with the cuning and the con,
The bowranbane, 1 and eik the lerion.
The marmisset the mowdewart couth leid,
Becaus that nature had denyit hir sicht ;
Thus dresset thay all furth for dreid of deid ; 910
The musk, the litill mous wit h all hir micht
With haist scho haikit vnto that hill of hicht ;
And mony kynd of beistis I couth not knaw,
Befoir thair lord the lioun thay lowtit law.
F. 26 a . Seing thir beistis all at his bidding boun, 915
He gaif ane braid, and luikit him about ;
Than flatlingis to his feit thay fell all doun,
For dreid of deith thay droupit all in dout.
He luikit quhen that he saw thame lout,
And bad thame, with ane countenance full sweit, 920
* Be not effeirit, but stand vp on ^our feit.
1 See note on p. 68.
Digitized by L^ooQle
70
THE FABLES.
CHARTERts]
‘ I lat 30W wit my micht is merciabill,
And steins nane that ar to me prostrait,
Angrie, austerne, and als vnamyabill
To all that stand fray 1 ar to myne estait.
I rug, I reif all beistis that makis debait 925
Aganis the micht of my Magnificence :
Se nane pretend to pryde in my presence.
‘ My Celsitude and my hie Maiestie
With micht and mercie myngit sail be ay ;
The lawest hart I can full sone vp hie, 930
And mak him maister ouer 30W all I may.
The Dromedarie, gif he will mak deray,
The greit Cameill, thocht he wer neuer sa crous,
I can him law als lytill als ane Mous.
f[ ‘Se neir be twentie mylis quhair I am 935
The Kid ga saiflie be the gaittis syde,
The Tod Lowrie luke not to the lam,
Na reuand beistis nouther Ryn nor ryde.’
Thay Couchit all efter that this wes cryde ;
The Iustice bad the Court for to gar fence, 940
The sutis callit, and foirfalt all absence.
The Panther, with his payntit Coit Armour,
Fensit the Court, as of the Law effeirit ;
Than Tod Lowrie lukit quhair he couth lour,
And start on fute, all stonist, and all steird ; 94 5
Ryifand his hair, he cryit with ane reird,
Quaikand for dreid, and sichand couth he say :
‘ Allace this hour, allace this dulefull day
1 Orig. ‘standfray.*
Digitized by L^OOQle
THE TRIAL OF THE FOX.
71
[harleian
* I lat 30W wit my mycht is merciabte,
And steiris nane that ar to me prostrait,
Angrie, austeme, and als vnamiable
To all that stand fray to myne estait. 925
I rug, I reif all beistis that makis debait
Aganis the micht of my magnificence :
Se nane pretend to pryde in my presence.
* My celsitude and my hie maiestie
With micht and mercie myngit salbe ay ; 930
The lawest heir I can full sone vp hie,
And mak him maister ouer 30W all I may.
The dromedarie, gif he will mak dirray,
The grit cameill, thocht he war neuer sa crous,
F. 26 b. I can him law als litill als ane mous. 935
* Se neir be tuentie mylis quhair I am
The kid ga saiflie be the gaittis side,
The tod lowrie luik not to the lam,
Na reuand beistis nouther rin nor ryde.’
Thay couchit all efter that this was cryde ; 940
This Iustice bad the court for to gar fence,
The suittis callit, and foirfalt all absence.
The panther, with the payntit coit armour,
Fensit the court, as of the law effeirit ;
Than tod lowrie luikit quhair he couth lour, 945
And start on fute, all stoneist, and all steirit ;
Ryifand his hair, he cryit with ane reird,
Quaikand for dreid, and sichand culd he say :
‘Allace this hour, allace this dulefull day !
Digitized by L^ooQle
7 2
THE FABLES.
CHARTER IS]
* I wait this suddan Semblie that I se,
Haifand the pointis of ane Parliament,
Is maid to mar sic misdoars as me ;
Thairfoir, gif I me schaw, I wilbe schent ;
I wilbe socht, and I be red absent ;
To byde, or fie, it makis not remeid ;
All is alyke, thair followis not bot deid.’
Perplexit thus in his hart can he mene
Throw falset how he micht him self defend ;
His Hude he drew laich attour his Ene,
And, winkand with ane Eye, furth he wend ;
Clinscheand he come, that he micht not be kend,
And, for dreddour that he suld bene arreist,
He playit bukhude behind, fra beist to beist.
C O fylit Spreit, and cankerit Conscience !
Befoir ane Roy Ren3eit with richteousnes,
Blakinnit cheikis and schamefull countenance !
Fairweill thy fame, defylit for ay is,
The Phisnomie, the fauour of thy face,
For thy defence is foull and disfigurate,
Brocht to the licht, blasit, blunt, and blait.
Be thow atteichit with thift or with tressoun
For thy misdeid wrangous and wickit fay,
Thy cheir changis, Lowrence ; thow man luke doun
Thy worschip of this warld is went away.
Luke to this Toid, how he wes in effray,
And fle the filth of falset, I the reid,
Quhairthrow thair followis syn & schameful deid.
Digitized by
Google
950
955
960
965
970
975
THE TRIAL OF THE FOX.
13
[harleian
‘ I wait this suddane semblie that I se, 950
Haifand the pointis of ane parliament,
Is maid to mar sic misdoars as me ;
Thairfoir, gif I me schaw, I wilbe schent ;
F. 27 a . I wilbe socht, and I be red absent ;
To byde, or fle, it makis no remeid \ 955
All is alike, thair followis not bot deid.*
Perplexit thus in his hart can he mene
Throw falset how he micht him self defend ;
His hude he drew laich attour his ene,
And, winkand with ane eye, furth he wend ; 960
Clinschand he come, that he micht not be kend,
And, for dreddour that he suld bene arreist,
He playit bukhude behind, fra beist to beist.
O fylit spreit, and cankerit conscience !
Befoir ane roy reinjeit with richteousnes, 965
Blakinnit cheikis and schamefull countenance !
Fairweill thy fame, now gone is all thy grace,
The phisnomie, the fauour of thy face,
For thy defence is foull and disfigurate,
Brocht to the licht, baisit, blunt, and blait. 970
Be thow atteichit with thift or with tressone
For thy misdeid wrangous and wickit fay,
Thy cheir chaingis, lowrence ; thow may luik doun ;
Thy worschip of this warld is went away.
F. 27 b. Luik to this tod, how he wes in effray, 975
And fle the filth of falset, I the reid,
Quhairthrow thair followis sin and schamefull deid.
Digitized by L^ooQle
74
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
Comperand thus befoir thair Lord and King,
In ordour set as to thair stait effeird,
Of euerilk kynd he gart ane part furthbring,
And awfullie he spak, and at thame speird 980
Gif thair wes ony kynd of beistis in eird
Absent, and thairto gart thame deiplie sweir ;
And thay said : * nane, except ane Stude gray Meir.*
‘ Ga, make ane message sone vnto that Stude.*
The Court than cryit : ‘ now see, quha sail it be ? * 985
‘ Cum furth, Lowrie, lurkand vnder thy hude.’
‘ Aa, Schir, mercie ! lo, I haif bot ane Ee;
Hurt in the heid, and cruikit as }e may se ;
The Uolf is better in Ambassatrie,
And mair cunning in Clergie fer then 1 / 990
Rampand he said, ‘ ga furth, brybouris baith ! *
And thay to ga withouttin tarying.
Ouer Ron and Rute thay ran togidder raith,
And fand the Meir at hir meit in the morning.
‘ Now,* quod the Tod, ‘ Madame, cum to the King, 995
The Court is callit, and 3e ar Contumax .*
‘ Let be, Lowrence,* quod scho, * 30m Courtlie Knax.*
C ‘ Maistres,* quod he, ‘ cum to the Court 3e mon ;
The Lyoun hes commandit so in deid.*
‘Schir Tod, tak 3e the Flyrdome, and the Fon, 1000
I haif respite ane 3eir, and 3e will reid.*
‘ I can not spell,* quod he, ‘ sa God me speid :
Heir is the Uolf, ane Nobill Clerk at all,
And of this Message is maid principall.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE TRIAL OF THE FOX.
75
[harleian
Compeirand thus befoir thair lord and king,
In ordour set as to thair stait effeirit,
Of euerie kynd he gart ane pairt furth bring, 980
And awfullie he spak, and at thame speird
Gif thair wes ony kynd of beist on eird
Absent, and thairto gart thame deiplie sweir ;
And thay said : ‘ nane, except ane stuid gray meir.’
‘ Ga, mak ane message sone vnto that stuid/ 985
The court than cryit : ‘ now se, quha sail it be ? ’
‘ Cum furth, lowrie, lurkand vnder thy hude/
* Aa, schir, mercie ! lo, I haif bot ane Ee ;
Hurt in the hoche, and cruikit as ^e may se ;
The wolf is better in ambassatry, 990
And mair cunning in clergie fer then 1 /
Rampand he said, ‘ ga furth, brybouris baith ! ’
And thay to ga withoutin tarying.
Ouer ron and rate thay ran to gidder raith,
F. 28 a. And fand the meir at hir meit in the momi#g. 995
‘Now/ quod the tod, ‘madame, cum to the king,
The court is callit, and $e ar contumai/
‘ Let be, lawrence,* quod scho, ‘ $our courtlie knax/
* Maistres,’ quod he, * cum to the court ^e mon ;
The lyoun hes commandit so indeid/ 1000
* Schir tod, tak $e the flirdome, and the fon,
I haif respite ane ^eir, and }e will reid/
* I can not spell,* quod he, ‘ sa god me speid :
Heir is the wolf, ane noble clerk at all,
And of this message is maid principall. 1005
Digitized by
Google
76
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
‘He is Autentik, and ane man of age, 1005
And hes greit practik of the Chancellarie ;
Let him ga luke, and reid 30m: Priuilege,
And I sail stand, and beir witnes 30 w by.’
‘Quhair is thy Respite?’ quod the Uolf, in hy.
‘Schir, it is heir, vnder my hufe weill hid.’ 1010
‘ Hald vp thy heill/ quod he ; and so scho did.
Thocht he wes blindit with pryde, jit he presumis
To luke doun law, quhair that hir letter lay.
With that the Meir gird him vpon the gumis,
And straik the hattrell of his heid away. 1015
Half out of lyif, thair lenand doun he lay :
‘ Allace,’ quod Lowrence, ‘ Lupe, thow art loist.’
‘ His cunning/ quod the Meir, ‘ wes worth sum coist.
‘Lowrence,’ quod scho, ‘will thow luke on my letter,
Sen that the Uolf na thing thairof can wyn?’ 1020
‘ Na, be Sanct Bryde,’ quod he, ‘ me think it better
To sleip in haill nor in ane hurt skyn.
Ane skrow I fand, and this wes writtin in,
— For hue schillingis I wald not anis forfault him —
Felix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautuml 1025
C With brokin skap, and bludie cheikis reid,
This wretchit Uolf weipand thus on he went,
Of this menje markand to get remeid ;
To tell the King the cace wes his Intent.
‘Schir/ quod the Tod, ‘byde still vpon this bent, 1030
And fra 30m browis wesche away the blude,
And tak ane drink, for it will do 30W gude.’
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE TRIAL OF THE FOX.
77
[harleian
4 He is autentik, and ane man of aige,
And hes grit practik of the chancellarye ;
Let him ga luik, and reid 3our priuilage,
And I sail stand, and beir witnes $ow by.*
4 Quhair is thy respite ? ’ quod the wolf, in hy. 1010
4 Schir, it is heir, vnder my hufe weill hid/
4 Hald vp thy heill/ quod he ; and so scho did.
Tho^fct he was blindit with pryde, ^it he p^sumis
F. 28 b. To luik doun law, quhair that hir letter lay.
With that the meir gird him vpoun the gumis, 1015
And straik the hatt[r]ell of his heid away.
Half out of lyfe, thair lenand doun he lay :
‘ Allace, ' quod lowrence, 4 3 Lupug, thow art loist/
4 His cunning/ quod the meir, 4 was wirth sum coist.
4 Lawrence/ quod scho, 4 will thow luik on my letter, 1020
Sen that the wolf na thing thairof can win ? *
4 Na, be sanct bryde/ quod he, 4 me think it better
To sleip in haill than in hurt skin.
Ane skrow I fand, and this wes written in,
— For fyve schillingis I wald not anis forfaut him — 1025
JFeltx quern facmnt aliena pertcula cautum/
With bludie skap, and cheikis bla and reid,
This wretchit wolf weipand thus on he went,
Of this menrje markand to get remeid ;
To tell the king the cace wes his intent. 1030
4 Schir/ quod the tod, 4 byde still vpoun this bent,
And fra ^our browis wesche away the blude,
And tak ane drink, for it will do 30W gude.'
Digitized by
Google
78
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
To feche watter this fraudfull Foxe furth fare,
Sydelingis abak 1 he socht vnto ane syke 2 ;
On cace he meittis, cummand fra the mure,
Ane Trip of Lambis dansand on ane dyke.
This Tratour Tod, this Tirrane, and this Tyke,
The fattest of this flock he fellit hais,
And eit his fill ; syne to the Uolf he gais.
Thay drank togidder, & syne thair Ioumey takis ;
Befoir the King syne kneillit on thair kne.
‘Quhair is 3 one Meir, Schir Tod, wes ContumaxV
Than Lowrence said : ‘ My Lord, speir not at me !
Speir at jour Doctour of Diuinitie,
With his reid Cap can tell 30 W weill aneuch.*
With that the Lyoun and all the laif thay leuch.
* Tell on the cais now, Lowrence, let vs heir.’
‘This wittie Uolf/ quod he, ‘this Clerk of age,
On jour behalf he bad the Meir compeir,
And scho allegit to ane priuilege —
“ Cum neir and se, and je sail haif jour wage.”
Because he red hir respite plane and weill,
3one reid Bonat scho raucht him with hir heill. >
ft The Lyoun said, ‘ be jone reid Cap I ken
This Taill is trew, quha tent unto it takis ;
The greitest Clerkis ar not the wysest men ;
The hurt of ane happie the vther makis.’
As thay wer carpand in this cais and 3 Knakis,
And all the Court in merines and in gam,
Swa come the 3<>w, the Mother of the Lam.
1 Cf. p. 266. 2 Orig. ‘slyke.*
8 See opposite page, and p. 267, 1 . 257.
Digitized by
Go le
io 35
1040
io4S
1050
io 55
1060
THE TRIAL OF THE FOX.
79
[harleian
F. 29 a. To fetche watter this fraudfull foxe furth fure,
Sydelingis abak 1 he socht vnto ane syke ; 1035
On cace he meittis, cuwand fra the mure,
Ane trip of lambis dansing on ane dyke.
This tratour tod, this tirrane, and this tyke,
The fattest of this flock he fellit hais,
And eit his fill ; syne to the wolf he gais. 1040
Thay drank to gidder, and syne thair Ioumey taks ;
Before the king syne kneillit on thair kne.
‘ Quhair is ^one meir, schir tod, wes contumax ? ’
Then lowrence said : ‘ My lord, speir not at me !
Speir at ^our doctour of diuinitie, 1045
With his reid cap can tell }ow weill aneuch.’
With that the lioun and all the laif thay leuch.
* Tell on the cace now, lowrence, let ws heir.*
* This wittie wolf/ quod he, ‘ this clerk of age,
On 3our behalf he bad the meir compeir, 1050
And scho allegit to ane priuilege —
“ Cum neir and se, and ^e sail haif 3 our wage.”
Becaus he red hir respite plane and weill,
F. 29 b. 3 one reid bonat scho racht him with hir hettl.*
The lioun said, ‘be ^one reid cap I ken 1055
This taill is trew, quha tent wnto it takis ;
The grittest clerkis ar not the wysest men ;
The hurt of ane happie the vther makis.’
As thay wer carpand in this cace w iih knakis,
And all the court in merines and gam, 1060
Sua come the 30W, the mother of the lam.
1 Cf. p. 266.
Digitized by L^ooQle
8o
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
Befoir the Iustice on hir kneis fell,
Put out hir playnt on this wyis wofullie :
* This harlet huresone, and this hound of hell,
Deuorit hes my Lamb full doggitlie,
Within ane myle, in contrair to jour cry. 1065
For Goddis lufe, my Lord, gif me the Law
Of this lurker : ’ with that Lowrence let draw.
4 Byde/ quod the Lyoun, 4 Lymmer, let vs se
Gif it be suthe the sellie 3ow hes said.'
4 Aa, Souerane Lord, saif jour mercy/ quod he, 1070
4 My purpois wes with him for to haif playid ;
Causles he fled, as he had bene effrayid ;
For dreid of deith he duschit ouer ane dyke,
And brak his nek.’ 4 Thow leis/ quod scho, 4 fals tyke.
4 His deith be practik may be preuit eith : 1075
Thy gorrie gumis and thy bludie snout,
The woll, the flesche jit stikkis on thy teith,
And that is euidence aneuch, but dout.'
The Iustice bad ga cheis ane Assyis about ;
And so thay did, and fand that he wes fals, 1080
Of Murther, thift, pyking, and tressoun als.
C. Thay band him fast, the Iustice bad belyif
To gif the dome, and tak of all his claithis ;
The Uolf, that new maid Doctour, couth him schryif ;
Syne furth him led, and to the gallous gais, 1085
And at the ledder fute his leif he tais ;
The Aip wes Boucher, and bad him sone ascend,
And hangit him ; and thus he maid his end.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE TRIAL OF THE FOX.
8l
[harleian
Before the iustice on hir kneis fell,
Put out hir plaint on this wayis wofully :
‘This harlet huresoun, and this hound of hell,
Deuorit hes my lamb full doggitly, 1065
Within ane myle, in contrair to ^our cry.
For goddis lufe, my lord, gif me the law
Of this lurker : * with that lowrence let draw.
‘ Byde, 1 quod the lioun, ‘ limmer, let ws se
Gif it be suthe the sillie 30W hes said.’ 1070
‘ Aa, souerane lord, saif }our mercy/ quod he,
‘ My purpois wes with him for to haif plaid ;
Causles he fled, as he had bene effraid ;
For dreid of deith he duschit ouer ane dyke, 1074
And brak hes nek/ ‘thow leis/ quod scho, ‘fals tyke.
F. 30 a. ‘ His deith be practik may be preuit eith :
Thy gorrie gumis and thy bludie snout,
The woll, the flesche }it stikkis on thy teith,
And that is euidence aneuch, but dout/
The iustice bad ga cheis ane assy is about; 1080
And so thay did, and fand that he wes fals,
Of murthour, thift, pykeing, and tressoun als.
Thay band him fast, the iustice bad belyif
To gif the dome, and tak of all his clais ; 1084
The wolf, that new maid doctour, couth him schriue ;
Syne furth him led, and to the gallowis gais,
And at the ledder fute his leif he tais ;
The aip wes boucher, and bad him sone ascend,
And hangit him ; and thus he maid his end.
VOL. II. F
Digitized by L^OOQle
82
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
Moralitas.
Richt as the Mynour in his Minorall
Fair gold with fyre may fra the Leid weill wyn, 1090
Richt so vnder ane Fabill figurall
Sad sentence men may seik, and efter fyne,
As daylie dois the Doctouris of Deuyne,
That to our leuing full weill can apply
And paynt thair mater furth be Poetry. 1095
The Lyoun is the warld be liknes,
To quhome loutis baith Empriour and King,
And thinkis of this warld to get incres,
Thinkand daylie to get mair leuing ;
Sum for to reull, and sum to raxe and Ring ; 1100
Sum gadderis geir, sum gold, sum vther gude ;
To wyn this warld, sum wirkis as thay wer wod.
The Meir is Men of gude conditioun,
As Pilgrymes walkand in this wildemes,
Approuand that for richt Religioun 1105
Thair God onlie to pleis in euerilk place ;
Abstractit frome this warldis wretchitnes,
Fechtand with lust, presumptioun, and pryde,
And fra this warld in mynde ar mortyfyde.
This Uolf I likkin to Sensualitie, mo
As quhen, lyke brutall beistis, we accord
Our mynd all to this warldis vanitie,
Lyking to tak and loif him as our Lord :
Fie fast thairfra, gif thow will richt remord ;
Than sail Ressoun ryse, Rax, and Ring, 1 1 1 5
And for thy Saull thair is na better thing.
Digitized by L^OOQle
THE TRIAL OF THE FOX.
83
[harleian
AoraUtaa*
tRtebt as the minor in his minorale 1090
Fair gold with fire may fra the leid weill win,
Richt so vnder ane fabill figurall
Sad sentence men may seik, and efter fyne,
As dailie dois the doctouris of deuyne,
That to oure leuing full weill can apply 1095
And paynt thair mater furth be poetry.
F. 30 b. The lioun is the warld be liknes,
To quhome loutis baith empriour and king,
And thinkis of this warld to get incres,
Thinkand dailie to get mair leuing ; 1100
Sum for to rule, and sum to rax and ring ;
Sum gadderis geir, sum gold, sum vther gude ;
To win this warld, sum wirkis as thay wer wod.
The meir is men of gude conditioun,
As pilgrimes wandrand in this wildernes, 1105
Approuand that for richt religioun
Thair god onlie to pleis in euerie place ;
Abstractit frome this warldis wretchidnes,
Fechtand with lust, presumptioun, and pryde,
And fra this warld in mynde ar mortyfide. mo
This wolf I likkin to sensualitie,
As quhen, like brutall beistis, we accord
Oure mynd all to this warldis vanitie,
Lyking to tak and loif him as oure lord :
Fie fast thairfra, gif thow will richt remord ; 1 1 15
Than sail ressoun ryis, rax, and ring,
And for thy saule thair is na better thing.
Digitized by L^ooQle
84
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
{[ Hir Hufe I likkin to the thocht of deid.
Will thow remember, Man, that thow man de ?
Thow may brek Sensualiteis heid,
And fleschlie lust away fra the sail fle,
Fra thow begin thy mynd to mortifie ;
Salomonis saying thow may persaif heirin :
‘ Think on thy end, thow sail not glaidlie sin/
This Tod I likkin to Temptationis,
Beirand to mynd mony thochtis vane,
Assaultand men with sweit persuasionis,
Ay reddie for to trap thame in ane trayne ;
3it gif thay se Sensualitie neir slane,
And suddand deith draw neir with panis sore,
Thay go abak, and temptis thame no moir.
O Mediatour ! mercifull and meik,
Thow Souerane Lord, and King Celestiall,
Thy Celsitude maist humillie we beseik,
Us to defend fra pane and perrellis all,
And help vs vp vnto thy heuinlie hall,
In gloir, quhair we may se the face of God. —
And thus endis the talking of the Tod.
C Finis.
Digitized by
Google
1120
1125
1130
“35
THE TRIAL OF THE FOX.
85
F. 31 a. Hir hufe I likkin to the thocht of deid.
Will thow remember, man, that thow mon de ?
Thow may brek sensualiteis heid,
And fieschlie lust away fra the sail fle,
Fra thow begin thy mynd to mortifie ;
Salomonis saying thow may persaif heirin :
* Think on thy end, thow sail not glaidlie sin.*
This tod I likkin to temptationis,
Beirand to mynd mony thochtis vane,
Assaultand men be sweit perswationis,
Ay reddie for to trap thame in ane trane ;
3it gif thay se sensualitie neir slane,
And suddane deith draw neir with panis sore,
Thay go abak, and temptis thame no moir.
O mediatour ! mercifull and meik,
Thow souerane lord, and king celestiall,
Thy celsitude maist humelie we beseik,
Ws to defend frome pane and perrellis all,
And help ws vp vnto thy heuinlie hall,
In gloir, quhair we may se the face of god. —
And thus endis the talking of the tod.
[harleian
1120
1125
1130
ii35
Digitized by L^ooQle
86
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
THE TAILL OF THE SCHEIP AND
THE DOIG.
SOPE ane Taill puttis in memorie,
How that ane Doig, because that he wes pure,
Callit ane Scheip to the Consistorie,
1 140
Ane certane breid fra him for to recure.
Ane fraudfull Uolf wes luge that tyme, and bure
Authorise and Iurisdictioun,
And on the Scheip send furth ane strait summoun.
C For by the vse, and cours, and commoun style 1145
On this maner maid his Citatioun :
* I, Maister Uolf, parties of fraud and gyle,
Under the panis of hie Suspensioun,
Of greit Cursing, and Interdictioun,
Schir Scheip, I charge the for to compeir, 1150
And answer to ane Doig before me heir.’
Schir Corbie Rauin wes maid Apparitour,
Quha pykit had full mony Scheipis Ee ;
The charge hes tane, and on the letteris bure ;
Summonit the Scheip befoir the Uolf, that he 1155
Peremptourlie, within twa dayis or thre,
Compeir vnder the panis in this bill,
‘ To heir quhat Perrie Doig will say the till.’
This Summond is 2 maid befoir witnes anew ;
The Rauin, as to his office weill effeird, 1160
Indorsat hes the write, and on he flew ;
The selie Scheip durst lay na mouth on eird,
Till he befoir the awfull luge appeird,
The hour of cause quhilk that the luge vsit than,
Quhen Hesperus to schaw his face began, 1165
1 Tom off in the original. 2 Orig. 1 Summandis.’
Digitized by L^OOQle
THE SHEEP AND THE DOG.
8 7
[harleian
f. 3 i i. Gbe tattl of tbe Scbeip anb
tbe Boa,
sope ane 1 taill puttis in memorie,
How that ane dog, becaus that he wes pure, 1140
Callit ane scheip to the consistorie,
Ane certane breid fra him for to recuir.
Ane fraudfull wolf wes iuge that tyme, & bure
Authoritie and iurisdictioun,
And on the scheip send furth ane strait summoun. 1145
For by the vse, and cours, and co^moun stile
On this maner maid his citatioun :
‘ I, maister wolf, pairtles of fraude and gile,
Vnder the panis of hie suspensioun,
Of grit cursing, and interdictioun,
Schir scheip, I chairg the for to compeir,
And answeir to ane dog before me heir.’
Schir corbie rauin wes maid apparetour,
Quha pykit had full mony scheipis ee ;
The charge hes tane, and on the letteris bure ;
Summonit the scheip before the wolf, that he
Peremptourlie, within twa dayis or thre,
F. 32 a. Compeir vnder the panis in this bill,
‘ To heir quhat pirrie dog will say the till/
This summond is maid before witnes anew ; 1160
The rauin, as to his office weill effeird,
Indorsate hes the write, and on he flew ;
The sillie scheip durst lay na mouth on eird,
Till he before the awfull iuge appeird,
The hour of caus quhilk that the iuge vsit than, 1165
Quhen hesperous to schaw his face began.
1 Repeated twice in the MS,
1150
1155
Digitized by L^ooQle
88
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
The Foxe wes Clerk and Noter in the cause ;
The Gled, the Graip, at the Bar couth stand ;
As Aduocatis expert into the Lawis,
The Doggis pley togidder tuke on hand,
Quhilk wer confidderit straitlie in ane band, 1170
Aganis the Scheip to procure the sentence ;
Thocht it was fals, thay had na conscience.
C The Clerk callit the Scheip, and he wes thair ;
The Aduocatis on this wyse couth propone :
4 An* 1 certane breid, worth fyue schilling or mair, 1175
Thow aw the Doig, of quhilk the terme is gone.’
Of his awin heid, but Aduocate allone,
The Scheip auysitlie gaif answer in the cace :
4 Heir I declyne the luge, the tyme, the place.
4 This is my cause, in motiue and effect : 1180
The Law sayis, it is richt perrillous
Till enter in pley before ane luge suspect ;
And 3e, Schir Uolf, hes bene richt odious
To me, for with 30m: Tuskis rauenous
Hes slane full mony kinnismen of myne; 1185
Thairfoir, luge as suspect, I 30W declyne.
4 And schortlie, of this Court 3e memberis all,
Baith Assessouris, Clerk, and Aduocate,
To me and myne ar enemeis mortall,
And ay hes bene, thocht I mycht not it lat; 1190
The place is fer, the tyme is feriat, 2
Quhairfoir na luge suld sit in Consistorie,
Sa lait at euin, I 30W accuse for thy.*
1 Orig. ‘and.* 2 Orig. ‘insperate,’ but indistinct. Hart, ‘desperat.*
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE SHEEP AND THE DOG.
89
[harleian
The foxe wes clerk and notare in the cause ;
The gled, the grape, at the bar couth stand ;
As aduocatis expert in the lawis,
The doggis pley to gidder tuke on hand, 1170
Quhilk wer confidderate straitlie in ane band,
Aganis the scheip to procure the sentence ;
Thocht it was fals, thay had na conscience.
The clerk callit the scheip, and he wes thair ;
The aduocatis on this wayis couth propone : 1175
‘ Ane certane breid, worth fyue schillingis or mair,
Thow aw the dog, of quhilk the terme is gone.’
Of his awin heid, but aduocate allone,
F. 32 b. The scheip auisitlie gaif answer in the cace :
‘Heir I decline the iuge, the tyme, the place. 1180
‘ This is my cause, in motiue and effect :
The law sayis, it is richt perrillous
Till enter in pley before ane iuge suspect ;
And 3e, schir wolf, hes bene richt odious
To me, for with ^our tuskis rauenous 1185
Hes slane full mony kywnismen of myne ;
Thairfoir, iuge as suspect, I 30W decline.
‘ And schortlie, of this court $e memberis all,
Baith assessouris, clerk, and aduocate,
To me and myne ar ennemeis mortale, 1190
And ay hes bene, as mony scheiphird wate ;
The place is fer, the tyme is feriat,
Quhairfoir na iuge suld sit in consistorie,
Sa lait at evin, I 30W accuse for thy.*
Digitized by L^ooQle
90
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
Quhen that the luge on this wyse wes accusit,
He bad the parteis cheis, with ane assent,
Twa Arbeteris, as in the Law is vsit,
For to declair and gif Arbitrement,
Quhidder the scheip suld answer in Iugement
Before the Uolf ; and so thay did but weir,
Of quhome the Namis efterwart %e sail heir.
ft The Beir, the Brok the mater tuke on hand,
For to decyde gif this exceptioun
Wes of na strenth, nor lauchfullie mycht stand ;
And thairupon, as Iugis, thay sat doun,
And held ane lang quhile disputatioun,
Seikand full mony Decreitis of the Law,
And Glosis als, the veritie to knaw.
Of Ciuile Law volumis full mony thay reuolue,
The Codies and Digestes new and aid ;
Contrait, Prostrait Argumentis thay resolue,
Sum obiecting, and sum can hald ;
For prayer, or price, trow %e that thay wald fald ?
Bot had the glose and Text of the Decreis,
As trew Iugis ; I beschrew thame ay that leis.
Schortlie to mak ane end of this debait :
The Arbiteris than did sweir full plane,
The sentence gaif and proces fulminat :
The Scheip suld pas befoir the Uolf agane,
And end his pley. Than wes he nathing fane,
For fra thair sentence couth he not appeill.
On Clerkis I do it , 1 gif this sentence wes leill.
1 Hart, ‘ I doe giue. *
Digitized by
Google
XI 9S
1200
1205
1210
I2IS
1220
THE SHEEP AND THE DOG.
91
[harleian
Quhen that the iuge in this wayis wes accusit,
He bad the parteis cheis, with ane assent,
Twa arbeteris, as in the law is vsit,
For to declair and gif arbitriment,
Quhidder the scheip suld answer in iugement
F. 33 a . Before the wolf ; and so thay did but weir,
Of quhome the names efterwart }e sail heir.
The beir, the brok the mater tuik on hand,
For to decyde gif this exceptioun
Wes of na strenth, nor lauchfullie micht stand ;
And thairupoun, as iugeis, thay sat doun, 1205
And held ane lang quhile disputatioun,
Seikand full mony decreitis of the law,
And glosis als, the veritie to knaw.
ii95
1200
Of ciuile law volumis full mony thay reuolue,
The codies and degistis new and aid ; 1210
Contrait, prostrait argumentis thay resolue,
Sum obiecting, and sum can hald ;
For prayer, or price, trow }e that thay wald fald ?
Bot held the text and glose of the decries,
As trew iugeis ; I beschrew tha me ay that leis. 1215
Schortlie to mak ane end of this debait :
The arbiteris than sweirand plane,
The sentence gaif and proces fulminate :
F. 33 b. The scheip suld pas before the wolf agane,
And end his pley : than wes he na thing fane, 1220
For fra thair sentence couth he not appeill.
On clerkis I do it, gif this sentence wes leill.
Digitized by
Google
92
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
C The Scheip agane befoir the Uolf derenjeit,
But Aduocate, abasitlie couth stand.
Up rais the doig, and on the Scheip thus plen3eit :
‘ Ane soume I payit haif befoir the hand 1225
For certane breid ; * thairto ane Borrow he fand,
That wrangouslie the Scheip did hald the breid ;
Quhilk he denyit ; and thair began the pleid.
C And quhen the Scheip this strif 1 had contestait,
The Iustice in the cause furth can proceid ; 1230
Lowrence the actis and the proces wrait,
And thus the pley vnto the end thay speid.
This Cursit Court, corruptit all for meid,
Aganis gude faith, Law, and eik conscience,
For this fals Doig pronuncit the sentence. 1235
And it till put to executioun,
The Uolf chargit the Scheip, without delay,
Under the panis of Interdictioun,
The soume of siluer, or the breid, to pay.
Of this sentence, allace, quhat sail I say, 1240
Quhilk dampnit hes the selie Innocent,
And Iustifyit the wrangous Iugement ?
The Scheip, dreidand mair executioun,
Obeyand to the sentence, he couth tak
His way vnto ane Merchand of the Toun, 1245
And sauld the woll that he bure on his bak ;
Syne bocht the breid, and to the Doig couth mak
Reddie payment, as it commandit was :
Nakit and bair syne to the feild couth pas.
1 Orig. ? ‘ stiiC
Digitized by L^OOQle
THE SHEEP AND THE DOG.
93
[harleian
The scheip agane before the wolf derein^eit,
But aduocat, abasitlie couth stand.
Vp rais the dog, and on the scheip thus plein^eit : 1225
‘ Ane soume I pait haif before the hand
For certane breid ; * thairto ane borrow he fand,
That wranguslie the scheip did hald the breid ;
Quhilk he denyit ; and thair began the pleid.
And quhen the scheip this stryif had co«testait, 1230
The iustice in the caus furth can proceid ;
Lowrence the actis and the proces wrait,
And thus the pley vnto the end thay speid.
This cursit court, corruptit all for meid,
Aganis gude faith, law, and eik conscience, 1235
For this fals dog pronuwcit the sentence.
And it till put to executioun,
The wolf chairgit the scheip, without delay,
Vnder the panis of interdictioun,
F. 34 a . The sowrne of siluer, or the breid, to pay. 1240
Of this sentence, allace, quhat sail I say,
Quhilk dampnit hes the silie innocent,
And iustifiit the wrangous iugement ?
The scheip, dreidand mair the executioun,
Obayand to the sentence, he couth tak 1245
His way vnto ane merchand of the toun,
And sauld the woll he bure vpoun his bak ;
Syne brocht the breid, and to the dog couth mak
Reddie payment, as it commandit was :
Naikit and bair syne to the feild couth pas. 1250
Digitized by L^ooQle
94
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
Moralitas.
THIS sillie Scheip may present the figure
Of pure commounis, that daylie is opprest
Be Tirrane men, quhilkis settis all thair cure
Be fals menis to mak ane wrang conqueist,
In hope this present lyfe suld euer lest ;
Bot all begylit thay will in schort tyme end,
And efter deith to lestand panis wend.
C This Uolf I likkin to ane Schiref stout,
Quhilk byis ane forfait at the Kingis hand,
And hes with him ane cursit Assy is about,
And dytis all the pure men vp on land.
Fra the Crownar haif laid on him his wand,
Thocht he wer trew as euer wes Sanct Iohne,
Slane sail he be, or with the luge compone.
This Rauin I likkin to ane fals Crownar,
Quhilk hes ane portioun 1 of the Inditement,
And passis furth befoir the Iustice Air,
All misdoaris to bring to Iugement ;
Bot luke, gif he wes of ane trew Intent,
To Scraip out Iohne, and wryte in Will, or Wat,
And swa ane bud at baith the parteis tak . 2
Of this fals Tod, of quhilk I spak befoir,
And of this Gled, quhat thay micht signifie,
Of thair nature, as now I speik no moir ;
Bot of this Scheip and of his cairfull cry
I sail reheirs ; for as I passit by
Quhair that he lay, on cais I lukit doun,
And hard him mak sair lamentatioun.
1 Cf. p. 296. 2 Cf. p. 296.
Digitized by
Google
1250
!255
I 260
1265
1270
1275
THE SHEEP AND THE DOG.
95
[harleian
AocaUtas.
ZblS sillie scheip may present the figure
Of pure commounis, that daylie ar opprest
Be tirrane men, quhilk settis all thair cure
Be fals meinis to mak ane wrang conquest,
In hope this present life suld euer lest; 1255
Bot albegilit thay will in schort tyme end,
And efter deith to lestand panis wend.
This wolf I likkin to ane schireff stout,
F. 34 b. Quhilk byis ane forfait at the kingis hand,
And hes with him ane cursit assyis about, 1260
And dytis all the pure men vpon land.
Fra the crownare haif lait on him his wand,
Thocht he wer trew as euir wes sanct Iohnne,
Slane sail he be, or with the iuge compone.
This ravin I likkin to ane fals crownair, 1265
Quhilk hes ane portioun 1 of the inditement,
And passis furth before the iustice air,
All misdoaris to bring to iugement ;
Bot luik, gif he was of ane trew intent,
To scraip out Iohne, and write in will, or wat, 1270
And tak ane bud at baith the parteis tat. 2
Of this fals tod, of quhilk I spak befoir,
And of this gled, quhat thay micht signifie,
Of thair nature, as now I speik no moir ;
Bot of this scheip and of his cairfull cry 1275
I sail reheirs ; for as I passit by
Quhair that he lay, on cais I luikit doun,
And hard him mak sair lamentatioun.
1 Cf. p. 296. 2 Cf. p. 296.
Digitized by
Google
96
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
‘ Allace, ’ quod he, c this cursit consistorie,
In middis of the winter now is maid,
Quhen Boreas with blastis bitterlie
And hard froistis thir flouris doun can faid ;
On bankis bair now may I mak na bald.’
And with that word in to ane Coif he Crap,
Fra sair wedder and frostis him to hap.
Quaikand for cauld, sair murnand ay amang,
Kest vp his Ee vnto the heuinnis hicht,
And said : ‘ Lord God, quhy sleipis thow sa lang ?
Walk, and discerne my cause, groundit on richt ;
Se how I am, be fraud, maistrie, and slicht,
Peillit full bair : ’ and so is mony one
Now in this warld, richt wonder, wo be gone !
Se, how this cursit sone 1 of couetice,
Loist hes baith lawtie and eik Law.
Now few or nane will execute Iustice,
In fait of quhome the pure man is ouerthraw.
The veritie, suppois the luge it knaw,
He is so blindit with affectioun,
But dreid, for micht, he lettis the richt ga doun.
Seis thow not, Lord, this warld ouerturnit is,
As quha wald change gude gold in leid or tyn ;
The pure is peillit ; the Lord may do na mis ;
And Simonie is haldin for na syn ;
Now is he blyith with okker maist may win ;
Gentrice is slane, and pietie is ago,
Allace, gude Lord, quhy tholis thow it so ?
1 See p. 297, 1 . 155.
Digitized by
Google
1280
1285
1290
1295
1300
1305
THE SHEEP AND THE DOG.
97
[harleian
* Mace/ quod he, * this cursit consistorie,
In middis of the winter now is maid, 1280
• 35 «. Quhen borias with blastis bitterlie
And hard frostis thir fiouris doun can faid ;
On bankis bair now may I mak na baid.’
And with that word in to ane coif he crap,
Fra sair wedder and frostis him to hap. 1285
Quaikand for cauld, sair mumand ay amang,
Kest vp his ee vnto the hevinis hicht,
And said : * lord god, quhy slepis thow sa lang ?
Walk, and decerne my caus, groundit on richt ;
Se how I am, be fraude, maistrie, and slicht, 1290
Peillit full bair : 9 and so is mony one
Now in this warld, richt wonder, wo be gone !
Se, how this cursit sone 1 of couetice,
Lost hes baith lawtie and eik law.
Now few or nane will execute iustice, 1295
In fait of quhome the pure man is ouerthraw.
The veritie, suppois the iuge it knaw,
He is so blindit with affectioun,
But dreid, for micht, he lettis the richt ga doun.
Seis thow not, lord, this warld ouertumit is, 1300
As quha wald change gude gold in leid or tin ;
The pure is peillit ; the lord may do na mis ;
And simonie is haldin for na sin ;
[ ] 2
35 b. Gentrice is slane, and pietie is ago, 1305
Allace, gude lord, quhy tholis thow it so ?
1 See p. 297, 1 . 155.
VOL. 11.
2 Line omitted in MS.
G
Digitized by L^ooQle
98
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
Thow tholis this euin for our gret offence,
Thow sendis vs troubill and plaigis soir,
As hunger, derth, greit weir, or Pestilence ;
Bot few amendis now thair lyfe thairfoir.
We puir pepill, as now may Do no moir
Bot pray to the, sen that we ar opprest
In to this eirth, grant vs in heuin gude rest.
ft Finis.
ft THE TAILL OF THE LYOUN AND
THE MOUS.
I N middis of Iune, that sweit seasoun,
Quhen that fair Phebus, with his bemis bricht,
Had dryit vp the dew fra daill and doun,
And all the land maid with his bemis licht,
In ane morning, betuix mid day and nicht,
I Rais, and put all sleuth and sleip asyde,
And to ane wod I went allone but gyde.
ft Sweit wes the smel of flouris, quhyte and reid,
The noyes of birdis richt delitious,
The bewis braid blomit abone my heid,
The ground growand with gers gratious ;
Of all plesance that place wes plenteous,
With sweit odouris and birdis harmonie,
The Muming Myld : my mirth wes mair for thy.
Digitized by
Google
1310
131s
1320
1325
THE LION AND THE MOUSE (PROLOGUE).
99
[harleian
Thow tholis this evin for oure grit offence,
Thow sendis ws troubill and plaigis sore,
As hunger, derth, grit weir, or pestilence ;
Bot few amendis now thair lyfe thairfore. 1310
We puir pepfe, as now may do no moir
Bot pray to the, sen that we ar opprest
In to this eirth, grant ws in hevin gude rest.
iFtntss.
f. 36 a. ftbe taill of tbe %\>oun anb
tbe flDoue.
JCtt of Iune, that sweit seasoun,
^ Quhen that fair phebus, witfi his bemis bricht, 13! 3^
Had dryit vp the dew fra daill and doun,
And all the land maid mtA his bemis licht,
In ane morning, betuix midday and nicht,
I rais, and put all sleip and sleuth aside,
And to ane wod I went allone but gide. 1320
Sweit was the smell of flouris, quhite and reid,
The noyes of birdis richt delirious,
The bewis braid blomit abone my heid,
The ground growand with gres gratious ;
Of all plesance that place wes plentious, 1325
With sweit odouris and birdis harmony,
The momiwg myld : my mirth wes mair for thy.
Digitized by Tooele
IOO THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
The Rosis reid arrayit on Rone and Ryce,
The Prymeros, and the Purpour Uiola ;
To heir it wes ane poynt of Paradice,
Sic Mirth the Mauis and the Merle couth ma.
The blossummis blyith brak vp on bank and bra ;
The smell of Herbis and of foullis cry
Contending quha suld haif the victorie.
Me to conserue than fra the sonis heit,
Under the schadow of ane Hawthorne grene,
I lenit doun amang the flouris sweit,
Syne cled my heid, and closit baith my Ene
On sleip I fell amang thir bewis bene,
And in my dreme me thocht come throw the schaw
The fairest man that euer before I saw.
His gowne wes of ane claith als quhyte as milk ;
His Chemeis was of Chambelote Purpour Broun ;
His hude of Scarlet, bordowrit weill with silk,
On hekillit wyis, vntill his girdill doun ;
His Bonat round, and of the auld fassoun ;
His heid wes quhyte ; his Ene wes greit and gray,
With lokker hair, quhilk ouer his schulderis lay.
C Ane Roll of paper in his hand he bair ;
Ane Swannis pen stikand vnder his eir ;
Ane Inkhorne, with ane prettie gilt Pennair,
Ane bag of silk, all at his belt can beir :
Thus was he gudiie graithit in his geir.
Of stature large, and with ane feirfull face :
Euin quhair I lay he come ane sturdie pace,
Digitized by
Google
1330
133s
1340
*345
1350
THE LION AND THE MOUSE (PROLOGUE). IOI
[harleian
The rosis reid arrayit on rone and ryce,
The prymerois, and the purpour violat bla ;
To heir it was ane point of parradice, 1330
Sic mirth the maueis and the merle couth ma.
The blossumis blith brak vp on bank and bra ;
The smell of herbis and of foulis cry
Contending quha suld haif the victory.
F. 36 b . Me to conserue than fra the sonis heit, 1335
Vnder the schaddow of ane hawthorne grene,
I lenit doun amang the flouris sweit,
Syne cled my heid, and closit baith my ene.
One sleip I fell amang thir bewis bene,
And in my dreme me thocht come throw the schaw 1340
The fairest man that euer before I saw.
His gown wes of ane claith als quhite as milk ;
His chemeis was of chambelet pourpour broun ;
His hude of skarlate, bordourit weill wit h silk,
On hekillit wyis, vntill his girdill doun ; 1345
His bonet round, and of the auld fassoun ;
His beird wes quhite ; his ene wes grit and gray,
With lokker hair, quhilk ouer his schulderis lay.
Ane roll of paper in his hand he bair ;
Ane swa/mis pen stikkand vnder his eir ; 1350
Ane Inkhome, with ane prettie gilt pennair,
Ane bag of silk, all at his belt can beir :
Thus was he gudlie grathit in his geir.
Of stature large, and with ane feirfull face :
Evin quhair I lay he come ane sturdy pace, 1355
Digitized by L^ooQle
102
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
And said, ‘God speid, my sone’; and I wes fane 1355
Of that couth word, and of his cumpanie ;
With reuerence I salusit him agane :
‘ Welcome, Father * ; and he sat doun me by.
‘ Displeis 30W not, my gude maister, thocht I
Demand 30m* birth, 3our facultie, and name, 1360
Quhy 3e come heir, or quhair 3e dwell at ham*/
‘ My sone,* said he, ‘ I am of gentill blude ;
My natiue land is Rome withouttin nay ;
And in th at 1 Towne first to the Sculis I 3ude,
In Ciuile Law studyit full mony ane day ; 1365
And now my winning is in Hevin for ay :
Esope I hecht ; my wryting and my werk
Is couth and kend to mony cunning Clerk/ 2
‘ O Maister Esope, Poet Laureate,
God wait, 3e ar full deir welcum to me; 1370
Ar 3e not he that all thir Fabillis wrait,
Quhilk in effect, suppois thay fen3eit be,
Ar full of prudence and moralitie ? *
‘ Fair sone,’ said he, ‘ I am the samin man/
God wait, gif that my hert wes merie than. 1375
® I said, ‘ Esope, my Maister Uenerabill,
I 30W beseik hartlie, for cheritie,
3 e wald not disdayne to tell ane prettie Fabill,
Concludand with ane gude Moralitie/
Schaikand his heid, he said : ‘my sone lat be, 1380
For quhat is it worth to tell ane fen3eit taill,
Quhen haly preiching may na thing auaill ?
1 Orig. ‘ the/ 2 Lines 1367 and 1368 are transposed in orig.
Digitized by
Google
THE LION AND THE MOUSE (PROLOGUE). 103
[harlbian
And said, ‘god speid, my sone*; and I was fane
F. 37 a. Of that couth word, and of his cuwpany ;
With reuerence I salust him agane :
‘ Welcome, father * ; & he sat doun me by.
‘ Displeis 30W not, my gude maister, thockt I 1360
Demand 3our birth, $our facultie, and name,
Quhy je come heir, or quhair 3e dwell at ham*/
‘ My sone/ said he, ‘ I am of gentill blude ;
My natiue land is Rome withouttin nay ;
And in that toun first to the scolis I 3ude, 1365
In ciuile law studijt full mony ane day ;
And now my wy«ning is in hevin for ay :
Esope I hecht ; my writing and my werk
Is couth and kend to mony cunning clerk.’
‘O maister esope, poete lawriate, 1370
God wait, ^e ar full deir welcome to me ;
Ar 3e not he that all thir fabillis wrait,
Quhilk in effect, suppois thay fein^eit be,
Ar full of prudence and moralitie ? *
‘ Fair sone/ said he, ‘ I am the samyn man/ 1375
God wait, gif that my hert wes merie than.
I said, ‘ esope, my maister venerable,
I 30W beseik hertlie, for charitie,
F. 37 6. 3 e wald not disdane to tell ane prettie fabill,
Concludand with ane guid moralitie/ 1380
Schaikand his heid, he said : ‘ my sone lat be,
For quhat is it wirth to tell ane fein^eit taill,
Quhen halie preiching may na thing awaill ?
Digitized by
Google
104
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
‘ Now in this warld, me think, richt few or nane
To Goddis worde that hes deuotioun ;
The eir is deif, the hart is hard as stane, 1385
Now oppin sin without correctioun,
The eir Inclynand to the eirth ay doun ;
Sa roustie is the warld with canker blak,
That now my taillis may lytill succour mak.’
* Bit, 1 gentill Schir,* said I, ‘for my requeist, 1390
Not to displeis ^our Fatherheid, I pray,
Under the figure of ane brutall beist,
Ane morall Fabill 3e wald den^e to say :
Quha wait nor I may leir and beir away
Sum thing thairby heirefter may auaill?* 1395
‘ I grant,* quod he, and thus begouth ane taill.
. ® The end of the Prolog and beginnis
the Taill :
A NE LYOUN AT HIS Pray verray foirrun,
To recreat his limmis and to rest,
Beikand his breist and bellie at the Sone,
Under ane tre lay in the fair Forrest ; 1 400
Swa come ane trip of Myis out of thair nest,
Rycht tait and trig, all dansand in ane gyis,
And ouer the Lyoun th[a]y dansit twyis or thryis.
® He lay so still, the Myis wes not effeird,
Bot to and fro out ouer him tuke thair trace ; 1405
Sum tirllit at the Campis of his beird,
Sum spairit not to claw him on the face ;
Merie and glaid thus dansit thay ane space,
Till at the last the Nobill Lyoun woke,
And with his pow the maister Mous he tuke. 1410
1 Orig. ‘Jis.*
Digitized by
Google
THE LION AND THE MOUSE.
105
[harleian
‘ Now in this warld, me think, richt few or nane
To goddis worde that hes deuotioun ; 1385
The eir is deif, the hart is hard as stane,
Now oppin sin without correctioun,
The hart inclynand to the eirth ay doun ;
Sa roustit is the warld with canker blak,
That now my taillis may litill succour mak.’ 1390
1 3itf gentill schir,’ said I, ‘ for my requeist,
Not to displeis }our father heid, I pray,
Vnder the figure of a brutale beist,
Ane morale fabill ^e wald den^e to say :
Quha wait nor I may leir and beir away 1395
Sum thing thairby heirefter may auaill ? 9
1 1 grant,’ quod he, and thus begouth ane taill.
5Tfje eitfc of tfje ptolog & fceginnfe
tfje taill:
38 a- One Xpoun at bte pray w^ry 1 foirrun,
To recreat his limmis and to rest,
Beikand his breist and belly at the sun, 1400
Vnder ane tre lay in the fair forrest ;
Sua come ane trip of myis out of thair nest,
Richt tait and trig, all dansand in ane gyis,
And ouer the lioun lansit twyis or thryis.
He lay sa still, the myis was not effeird, 1405
Bot to and fra out ouer him tuik thair trace ;
Sum tirlit at the campis of his beird,
Sum sparit not to claw him on the face ;
Merie and glaid thus dansit thay ane space,
Till at the last the nottfe lyoun woke, 1410
And with his pow the maister mous he tuke.
1 MS. ‘ war. ’
Digitized by L^ooQle
106 THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
Scho gaif ane cry, and all the laif agast
Thair dansing left, and hid thame heir and thair ;
Scho that wes tane cryit and weipit fast,
And said allace oftymes that scho come thair :
‘ Now am I tane ane wofull presonair,
And for my gilt traistis Incontinent
Of lyfe and deith to thoill the Iugement. ,
Than spak the Lyoun to that cairfull Mous :
‘ Thow Catiue wretche, and vile vnworthie thing,
Ouer malapert and eik presumpteous
Thow wes, to mak out ouer me thy tripping.
Knew thow not weill I wes baith Lord and King
Of beistis all ? ’ ‘ 3 es/ quod the Mous, ‘ I knaw ;
Bot I misknew, becaus 3e lay so law.
* Lord ! I beseik thy Kinglie Royaltie,
Heir quhat I say, and tak in pacience ;
Considder first my simple pouertie,
And syne thy mychtie hie Magnificence ;
Se als how thingis done of Negligence,
Nouther of malice nor of presumptioun,
The rather suld haif grace and remissioun.
® 4 We wer repleit and had greit aboundance
Of alkin thingis, sic as to vs effeird ;
The sweit sesoun prouokit vs to dance,
And mak sic mirth as nature to vs leird.
3e lay sa still and law vpon the eird
That, be my saull, we weind 3e had bene deid,
Ellis wald we not haif dancit ouer 30m heid.*
Digitized by
Google
1415
1420
142s
1430
1435
THE LION AND THE MOUSE.
107
[harleian
Scho gaif ane cry, and all the laif agast
Thair dansing left, and hid thame sone all quhair ;
Scho that wes tane cryit and weipit fast,
And said allace oftymes that scho come thair : 1415
‘ Now am I tane ane wofull presonair,
And for my gilt traistis incontinent
Of lyfe and deith to thole the iugement.*
Than spak the lioun to that cairfull mous :
F. 38 b . ‘Thow catiue wretche, and vile vnworthie thing, 1420
Ouer malapart and eik presumpteous
Thow wes, to mak out ouer me thy tripping.
Knew 1 thow not weill I was baith lord and king
Of beistis all ? ’ ‘ 3 is,* quod the mous, ‘ I knaw ;
Bot I misknew, becaus $e lay so law. 1425
‘ Lord ! I beseik thy kinglie royaltie,
Heir quhat I say, and tak in patience ;
Considder first my simple pouertie,
And syne thy michtie hie magnificence ;
Se als how thingis done of negligence, 1 430
Nouther of malice nor of presumptioun,
The rather suld haif grace and remissioun.
‘We war repleit and had grit aboundance
Of all kin thingis, sic as to ws effeird ;
The sweit sesoun prouokit ws to dance, 1435
And mak sic mirth as nature to ws leird.
3e lay sa still and law vpoun the eird
That, be my saule, we wenid ^e had bene deid,
Ellis wald we not haif dancit ouer 30 uv heid.*
1 MS. ‘ Qnew.*
Digitized by L^ooQle
io8
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
‘ Thy fals excuse/ the Lyoun said agane,
‘ Sail not auaill ane myte, I vnderta ;
I put the cace, I had bene deid or slane,
And syne my skyn bene stoppit full of stra,
Thocht thow had found my figure lyand swa,
Because it bair the prent of my persoun,
Thow suld for feir on kneis haif fallin doun.
* For thy trespas thow sail mak na defence,
My Nobill persoun thus to vilipend ;
Of thy feiris, nor thy awin negligence,
For to excuse, thow can na caus pretend ;
Thairfoir thow suffer sail ane schamefull end,
And deith, sic as to tressoun is decreit,
Upon the Gallous hangit be the feit.'
‘ Na, mercie, Lord, at thy gentrice I ase,
As thow art King of beistis Coronat,
Sober thy wraith, and let it ouerpas,
And mak thy mynd to mercy Inclynat.
I grant offence is done to thyne estait,
Quhairfoir I worthie am to suffer deid,
Bot gif thy cumlie mercy reik remeid.
1 In euerie luge mercy and reuth suld be
As Assessouris, and collaterall ;
Without mercy Iustice is crueltie,
As said is in the Lawis speciall :
Quhen Rigour sittis in the Tribunall,
The equitie of Law quha may sustene ?
Richt few or nane, but mercie gang betwene.
Digitized by
Google
1440
1445
1450
1455
1460
1465
THE LION AND THE MOUSE.
109
[harleian
* Thy fals excuse/ the lioun said agane, 1440
F. 39 a . ‘ Sail not awaill ane myte, I vnderta ;
I put the cace, I had bene deid or slane,
And syne my skin bene stoppit full of stra,
Thocht thow had found my figure Hand swa,
Becaus it bare the prent of my persoun, 1445
Thow suld for feir on kneis haif fallin doun.
‘ For thy trespas thow can mak na defence,
My noble persoun thus to vilipend ;
Of thy feiris, nor thy awin negligence,
For to excuse, thow can na caus pretend ; 1450
Thairfoir thow suffer sail ane schamefull end,
And deith, sic as to tressoun is decreit,
Vpon the gallous harlit be the feit. 1
‘Na, mercie, lord, at thy gentrice I ase,
As thow art king of beistis coronate, 1455
Sober thy wraith, and let it ouerpas,
And mak thy mynd to mercy inclynate.
I grant offence is done to thine estait,
Quhairfore I wirthie am to suffer deid,
Bot gif thy kinglie mercy reik remeid. 1460
‘ In euerie iuge mercy and truth suld be
F. 39 b . As assessouris, and collaterall ;
Without mercy iustice is crueltie,
As said is in the lawis speciall :
Quhen rigour sittis in the tribunale, 1465
The equitie of law quha may sustene ?
Richt few or nane, but mercy gang betwene.
Digitized by L^ooQle
no
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
® ‘ Alswa 3e knaw the honour Triumphall
Of all Uictour vpon the strenth dependis
Of his compair, quhilk manlie in battell
Throw Ieopardie of weir lang defendis.
Quhat price or louing, quhen the battell endis,
Is said of him that ouercummis ane man,
Him to defend quhilk nouther may nor can ?
‘ Ane thousand Myis to kill, and eik deuoir,
Is lytill manheid to ane strang lyoun ;
Full lytill worschip haif 3e wyn thairfoir,
To quhais strenth is na comparisoun ;
It will degraid sum part of 30m* renoun
To sla ane Mous, quhilk may mak na defence,
Bot askand mercie at 3our excellence.
‘ Also it semes not 3our Celsitude,
Quhilk vsis daylie meittis delitious,
To fyle 3our teith or lippis with my blude,
Quhilk to 3our stomok is contagious ;
Unhailsum meit is of ane sarie Mous,
And that namelie vntill ane strang Lyoun,
Uont till be fed with gentill Uennisoun.
‘ My lyfe is lytill worth, my deith is les,
3it and I leif, I may peraduenture
Supple 3our hienes beand in distres ;
For oft is sene ane man of small stature
Reskewit hes ane Lord of hie honour,
Keipit that wes in point to be ouerthrawin
Throw misfortune : sic cace may be 3our awin.’
Digitized by
Google
1470
1475
1480
1485
1490
THE LION AND THE MOUSE.
1 1 1
[harleian
‘ Alswa 3e knaw the honour triumphall
Of all victour vpoun the strenth dependis
Of his conqueist, quhilk manlie in battell 1470
Throw ieoperdie of weir lang defendis.
Quhat price or louing, quhen the battell endis,
Is said of him that ouercuwis ane man,
Him to defend quhilk nouther may nor can ?
‘Ane thousand myis to kill, and eik deuoir, 1475
Is litill manheid to ane Strang lioun ;
Full litill worschip haif }e win thairfoir,
To quhais strenth is na comparisoun ;
It will degraid sum pairt of }our renoun
To slay ane mous, quhilk may mak na defence, 1480
Bot askand mercie at $our excellence.
* Also it simes not 30m celsitude,
F. 40 a . Quhilk vsis dalie meittis delitious,
To fyle 3our lippis and teith w/t h my blude,
Quhilk to jour stomok is contagious ; 1485
Vnhailsum meit is of ane sarie mous,
And that namelie vnto ane Strang lioun,
Wont till be fed with gentill vennesoun.
‘ My lyfe is litill worth, my deith is les,
3 it and I leif, I may peraduentour 1490
Supplie 30m hienes beand in distres ;
For oft is sene ane man of small stature
Reskewit hes ane lord of hie honour,
Keipit that wes in point to be ouerthrawin
Throw misfortoun : sic cace may be 3our awin.’ 1495
Digitized by L^ooQle
1 12
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
® Quhen this wes said, the Lyoun his language
Paissit, and thocht according to ressoun,
And gart mercie his cruell Ire asswage,
And to the Mous grantit Remissioun ;
Oppinnit his Poll, and scho on kneis fell doun,
And baith hir handis vnto the heuin vpheld,
Cryand : ‘ Almychtie God mot 30W forjeild ! ’
Quhen scho wes gone, the Lyoun held to hunt,
For he had nocht, bot leuit on his Pray,
And slew baith tayme and wyld, as he wes wont,
And in the cuntrie maid ane greit deray ;
Till at the last the pepill fand the way
This cruell Lyoun how that thay mycht tak :
Of Hempyn cordis strang Nettis couth thay mak.
And in ane Rod, quhair he wes wont to ryn,
With Raipis rude fra tre to tre it band ;
Syne kest ane Range on raw the woid within,
With hornis blast, and Kennettis fast calland.
The Lyoun fled, and, throw the Ron rynnand,
Fell in the Net, and hankit fute and heid ;
For all his strenth he couth mak na remeid.
Uelterand about with hiddeous rummissing,
Quhyle to, quhyle fra, quhill he mycht succour get ;
Bot all in vane, it vailjeit him na thing ;
The mair he flang, the faster wes the Net ;
The Raipis rude wes sa about him knet,
On euerilk syde, that succour saw he nane ;
Bot still lyand and mumand maid his mane.
Digitized by
Google
1495
1500
I 5°S
1510
*515
1520
THE LION AND THE MOUSE.
113
[harleian
Quhen this wes said, the lioun his language
Paissit, and thocht according to ressoun,
And gart mercie his cruell ire asswage,
And to the mous grantit remissioun ;
Oppynnit his pow, and scho on kneis fell doun, 1500
And baith hir handis vnto the heuin vpheild,
Cryand : 1 almichtie god mot 30W forjeild ! 9
Quhen scho was gone, the lioun held to hunt,
For he had nocht, bot leuit on his pray,
\ 40 And slew baith tayme and wyld, as he wes wunt, 1505
And in the cuntrie maid a grit deray ;
Till at the last the pepill fand the way
This cruell lioun how that thay micht tak :
Of hempin cordis strang nettis couth thay mak.
And in J?e rod, quhair he was wont to rin, 1510
With raipis rude fra tre to tre it band ;
Syne kest ane range on raw the wod w/t^in,
With homis blast, and kennetis fast calland.
The lioun fled, and, throw the rone rywnand,
Fell in the net, and hankit fute and heid ; 1515
For all his strenth he couth mak na remeid.
Welterand about with hiddious ru^missing,
Quhile to, quhile fra, quhill he micht succour get ;
Bot all in vane, it vail^eit him na thing ;
The mair he flang, the faster was the net; 1520
The raipis rude was sa about him plet,
On euerie side, that succour saw he none ;
Bot still Hand and mumand maid his mone.
VOL. 11. h
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE FABLES.
1 14
CHARTERIS]
C ‘ O lamit Lyoun, liggand heir sa law,
Quhair is the mycht of thy Magnificence,
Of quhome all brutall heist in eird stude aw, 1525
And dred to luke vpon thy Excellence ?
But hoip or help, but succour or defence,
In bandis Strang heir man I ly, allace !
Till I be slane, I se nane vther grace.
‘Thair is na wy that will my harmis wreik, I 53°
Nor creature do confort to my Croun.
Quha sail me bute ? quha sail my bandis brek ?
Quha sail me put fra pane of this Presoun ? *
Be he had maid this lamentatioun,
Throw auenture the lytill Mous come neir, 1 535
And of the Lyoun hard the pietuous beir.
And suddandlie it come in till hir mynd
That it suld be the Lyoun did hir grace,
And said, ‘ now wer I fals and richt vnkynd,
Bot gif I quit sum part of thy gentrice 1540
Thow did to me:’ and on this way scho gais
To hir fellowis, and on thame fast can cry,
‘ Cum help, cum help ! * and thay come all in hy.
* Lo/ quod the Mous, ‘ this is the samin Lyoun
That grantit grace to me quhen I wes tane; 1545
And now is fast heir bundin in Presoun,
Brekand his hart with sair muming and mane ;
Bot we him help, of succour wait he nane ;
Cum help to quyte ane gude turne for ane vther, 1549
Go, lous him sone : 1 and thay said, ‘ 3ea, gude brother.*
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE LION AND THE MOUSE.
IIS
[harleian
‘ O lamit lioun, liggand heir sa law,
Quhair is the micht of thy magnificence, 1525
Of quhome all brutall beistis in eird stuid aw,
F. 41 a . And dreid to luik vpoun thy excellence ?
But hoip or help, but succour or defence,
In bandis Strang heir man I ly, allace !
Till I be slane, I se nane vther grace. 1530
‘ Thair is na wy that will my harmes wreik,
Nor creature do confort to my croun.
Quha sail me bute ? quha sail my bandis breke ?
Quha sail me put fra pane of this presoun ? ’
Be he had maid this lamentatioun, 1535
Throw auenture the litill mous come neir,
And of the lioun hard the pietuous beir.
And suddanlie it come in to hir mynd
That it suld be the lioun did hir grace,
And said, * now wer I fals and richt vnkynd, 1540
Bot gif I quite sum pairt of thy gentrace
Thow did to me : * and on this wayis scho gais
To hir fellowis, and on thame fast can cry,
‘ Cum help, cum help I ’ and thay come all in hy.
c Lo,* quod the mouft, ‘ this is the samyn lioun 1545
That grantit grace to me quhen I was tane ;
And now is fast heir bundin in presoun,
Brekand his hart with sair mumi#g and mane ;
F. 41 b. Bot we him help, of succour wait he nane ;
Cum help to quit ane gude tume for ane vther, 1550
Go, lous him sone and thay said, ‘^e, gude brother/
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE FABLES.
1 16
CHARTERIS]
C Thay tuke na knyfe, thair teith wes scharp aneuch.
To se that sicht, forsuith it wes greit wonder,
How that thay ran amang the raipis teuch ;
Befoir, behind, sum 3eid about, sum vnder,
And schuir the raipis of the Mast in schunder ;
Syne bad him ryse ; and he start vp anone,
And thankit thame ; syne on his way is gone.
Now is the Lyoun fre of all danger,
Lous and Deliuerit to his libertie,
Be lytill beistis of ane small power,
As 3e haif hard, becaus he had pietie.
Quod I, 1 Maister, is thair ane moralitie
In this Fabill? , ‘3ea, sone,’ he said, ‘richt gude.’ —
* I pray 30W, Schir,’ quod I, * 3e wald conclude/
Moralitas.
AS I SUPPOSE, THIS mychtie gay Lyoun
May signifie ane Prince, or Empriour, 1
Ane Potestate, or 3k ane king with Croun,
Quhilk suld be walkrife gyde and Gouernour
Of his pepill, that takis na labour
To reule and steir the land, and Iustice keip,
Bot lyis still in lustis, sleuth, and sleip.
The fair Forrest wit h leuis lowne and le,
With foullis sang, and flouris ferlie sweit,
Is bot the warld and his prosperitie,
As fals plesance myngit with cair repleit.
Rycht as the Rois with frost and winter weit
Faidis, swa dois the warld, and thame desauis
Quhilk in thair lustis maist confidence hauis.
1 In the original this line is fourth in the stanza.
Digitized by
Google
I 5 SS
1560
1565
1570
1 575
F. 42 a.
THE LION AND THE MOUSE. 117
[harleian
Thay tuik na knyfe, thair teith was scharpe aneuch.
To se that sicht, forsuith it was grit wounder,
How that thay ran amang the raipis tewch ;
Befoir, behind, sum gaid about, sum vnder, 1555
And schuir the raipis of the net in schunder ;
Syne bad him ryis ; and he start vp anone,
And thankit thame ; syne on his way is gone.
Now is the lioun fre of all danger,
Lous and deliuerit to his libertie, 1560
Be litill beistis of ane small power,
As ^e haif hard, becaus he had pitie.
Quod I, ‘ maister, is thair ane moralitie
In this fabill ? ’ ‘ $e, sone/ he said, * richt guid/ —
‘ I pray 30 w, schir/ quod I, ‘^e wald conclude/ 1565
JFit u&
ffcoralitaa*
HS 5 suppose, this michtie gay lioun
May signifie ane prince, or empriour,
Ane potestate, or }it ane king with croun,
Quhilk suld be walkryfe gide and gouernour
Of his pepill, that takis na labour 1570
To reule and steir the land, and iustice keip,
Bot lyis still in lustis, sleuth, and sleip.
The fair forest with leuis lowne and lie,
With foullis sang, and flouris ferlie sweit,
Is bot the warld and his prosperitie, 1575
As fals plesance mingit with cair repleit.
Richt as the rois with frost and winter weit
Faidis, swa dois the warld, and thame desauis
Quhilk in thair lustis maist confidence hauis.
Digitized by
Google
Il8 THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
Thir lytill Myis ar bot the commountie,
Uantoun, vnwyse, without correctioun :
Thair Lordis and Princis quhen that thay se
Of Iustice mak nane executioun,
Thay dreid na thing to mak Rebellioun,
And disobey, for quhy thay stand nane aw,
That garris thame thair Soueranis misknaw.
Be this Fabill 3e Lordis of Prudence
May considder the vertew of Pietie ;
And to remit sumtyme ane greit offence,
And mitigate with mercy crueltie :
Oftymis is sene ane man of small degre
Hes quit ane turne baith for gude and euill,
As Lord hes done Rigour, or grace him till.
Quha wait how sone ane Lord of greit Renoun,
Rolland in warldlie lust and vane plesance,
May be ouerthrawin, destroyit, and put doun
Throw fals fortoun, quhilk of all variance
Is haill maistres, and leidar of the dance
Till Iniust men, and blindis thame so soir,
That thay na perrell can prouyde befoir.
Thir cruell men, that stentit hes the Net,
In quhilk the Lyoun suddandlie wes tane,
Uaittit alway amendis for to get,
For hurt men wrytis in the Marbill stane.
Mair till expound as now I let allane,
Bot king and Lord may weill wit quhat I mene ;
Figure heirof oftymis hes bene sene.
Digitized by
Goog
1580
1585
1590
X S95
1600
1605
THE LION AND THE MOUSE.
Thir litill myis ar bot the cowmountie,
Wantoun, wnwyse, without correctioun :
Thair lordis and princes quhen that thay se
Of iustice mak na executioun,
Thay dreid na thing to mak rebellioun,
And disobey, for quhy thay stand nane aw,
That garris thame thair soueranis misknaw.
F. 42 A Be this fabill ^e lordis of prudence
May considder the vertue of pietie ;
And to remit sum tyme ane grit offence,
And mitigate with mercy crueltie :
Of tymes is sene ane man of small degrie
Hes quit ane kinbute baith of gude and ill,
As lordis hes done rigour, and grace him till.
Quha wait how sone ane lord of grit renoun,
Rowand in warldlie wit 1 and vane plesance,
May be ouerthrawin, distroyit, and put doun
Throw fals fortoun, quhilk of all varience
Is haill maistres, and leidare of the dance
Till vniust men, and blindis thame so soir,
That thay na perrell can prouide befoir.
Thir rurall men, that stentit hes the net,
In quhilk the lioun suddanelie was tane,
Waittit alway amendis for to get,
For hurt men writis in the merbill stane.
Mair till expone as now I let allane,
Bot king and lord may weill wit quhat I mene
Figure heirof oftymes hes bene sene.
1 Cf. pp. 1 18, 314.
1 19
[harleian
1580
1585
1590
1595
1600
1605
Digitized by L^ooQle
120
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
Quhen this wes said, quod Esope : ‘ my fair child,
I 30W beseik and all men for to pray
That tressoun of this cuntrie be exyld,
And Iustice Regne, and Lordis keip thair fay 1610
Unto thair Souerane Lord, baith nicht and day/
And with that word he vanist, and I woke ;
Syne throw the Schaw my Iourney hamewart tuke.
Finis.
C THE PREICHING OF THE
SWALLOW.
T HE HIE PRUDENCE, and wirking meruelous,
The profound wit of God omnipotent 1 6 1 5
Is sa perfyte, and sa Ingenious,
Excellent far all mannis Iugement ;
For quhy to him all thing is ay present,
Richt as it is, or ony tyme sail be,
Befoir the sicht of his Diuinitie. 1620
Thairfoir our Saull with Sensualitie
So fetterit is in presoun Corporall,
We may not cleirlie vnderstand nor se
God as he is, nor thingis 1 Celestiall :
Our mirk and deidle corps Naturall 1 1625
Blindis the Spirituall operatioun,
Lyke as ane man wer bundin in presoun.
1 Cf. p. 231.
Digitized by L^ooQle
Digitized by L^OOQle
Digitized by L^OOQle
THE SWALLOW AND THE OTHER BIRDS.
121
F. 43 a
F. 43 A
F. 44 a-
[harleian
Quhen this was said, quod esope : ‘ my fair childe,
I the beseik and all men for to pray
That tressoun of this cuntrie be exyld, 1610
And iustice ring, and lordis keip thair fay
Vnto thair souerane king, baith nycht and day/
And with that word he vanist, and I woke ;
Syne throw the schaw my iurnay hamewart tuik.
lEntua tfjr motalitte.
Gbe pretcbina of tbe
Swallow.
'TTbe bie ptubcitcc, and wirking meruelous, 1615
The profound wit of god omnipotent
Is sa perfite, and sa ingenious,
Excellent fer all ma/znis Iugement ;
For quhy to him all thing is ay present,
Richt as it is, or ony tyme salbe, 1620
Befoir the sicht of his diuinitie.
Thairfoir oure saule with sensualitie
So fetterit is in presoun corporale,
We may not cleirlie vnderstand nor sie
God as he is, nor thingis 1 celestiall : 1625
Oure mirk and deidle corps naturall 1
Blindis the spirituall operatioun,
Like as ane man war bundin in presoun.
1 Cf. p. 231.
Digitized by
Google
122
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
41 In Metaphisik Aristotell sayis
That mannis Saul is lyke ane Bakkis Ee,
Quhilk lurkis still als lang as licht of day is, 1630
And in the gloming cummis furth to fle ;
Hir Ene ar waik, the Sone scho may not se :
Sa is our Saull with fantasie opprest,
To knaw the thingis in nature manifest.
For God is in his power Infinite, 1635
And mannis Saull is febill and ouer small,
Of vnderstanding waik and imperfite,
To comprehend him that contenis all.
Nor suld presume, be ressoun naturall,
To seirche the secreitties of the Trinitie, 1640
Bot trow fermelie, and lat all ressoun be.
41 Bit neuertheles we may haif knawlegeing
Of God almychtie be his Creaturis,
That he is gude, fair, wyis, and bening ;
Exempill tak be thir Iolie flouris, 1645
Rycht sweit of smell and plesant of colouris,
Sum grene, sum blew, sum purpour, quhyte, & reid,
This distribute be gift of his Godheid.
The firmament payntit with stemis cleir,
Frome eist to west rolland in cirkill round, 1650
And euerilk Planet in his proper Spheir,
In mouing makand Harmonie and sound ;
The Fyre, the Air, the watter, and the ground —
Till vnderstand it is aneuch, I wis,
That God in all his werkis wittie is. 1655
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE SWALLOW AND THE OTHER BIRDS.
123
[harleian
In metaphisik aristotell sayis
That ma#nis saule is like ane bakkis ee, 1630
Quhilk lurkis still als lang as licht of day is,
And in the gloming cu/rcis furth to flie ;
Hir ene ar waik, the sone scho may not se :
Sa is oure saule with fantisie opprest,
To knaw the thingis in nature manifest. 1635
For god is in his poware infinite,
And maftnis saule is febill and ouer small,
Of vnderstanding waik and imperfite,
To comprehend him that contenis all.
Nane suld presume, be reasoun naturall, 1640
To seirche the secreities of the trinitie,
Bot trow fermelie, and lat all ressoun be.
3 it neuertheles we may haif knawleging
Of god almichtie be his creatouris,
That he is guid, fair, wyse, and beniwge; 1645
Exempill tak be thir Iolie flouris,
Richt sweit of smell and plesand of colouris,
Sum grene, sum blew, sum purpour, quhite, and reid,
F. 44 b. This distribute be gift of his godheid.
The firmament paintit with starnis cleir, 1650
Frome eist to west rolland in cirkill round,
And euerie planet in his proper spheir,
In moving makand harmonie and sound ;
The fyre, the air, the watter, and the ground —
Till vnderstand it is aneuch, I wis, 1655
That god in all his werkis wittie is.
Digitized by L^ooQle
124
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
Luke weill the fische that swimmis in the se ;
Luke weill in eirth all kynd of bestiall ;
The foullis fair, sa forcelie thay fie,
Scheddand the air with pennis greit and small ;
Syne luke to man, that he maid last of all,
Lyke to his Image and his similitude :
Be thir we knaw that God is fair and gude.
All creature he maid for the behufe
Of man, and to his supportatioun
In to this eirth, baith vnder and abufe,
In number, wecht, and dew proportioun ;
The difference of tyme, and ilk seasoun,
Concordand till oure oportunitie,
As daylie be experience we may se.
C The Somer with his Iolie mantill grene,
With flouris fair furrit on euerilk fent,
Quhilk Flora Goddes, of the flouris Quene,
Hes to that Lord as for his seasoun lent,
And Phebus with his goldin bemis gent
Hes purfellit and payntit plesandlie,
With heit and moysture stilland from the sky.
Syne Haruest hait, quhen Ceres that Goddes
Hir barnis be«it 1 hes with abundance ;
And Bacchus, God of wyne, renewit hes
The tume Pyipis in Italie and France,
With wynis wicht, and liquour of plesance ;
And copia temporis to fill hir home,
That neuer wes full of quheit nor vther corne.
1 Orig. ‘bewit.’
Digitized by
Google
1660
1665
1670
1675
1680
THE SWALLOW AND THE OTHER BIRDS.
125
Luik weill the fische that swymmis in the se;
Luik weill in eirth all kynd of bestiall ;
The foullis fair, sa forcelie thay fle,
Scheddand the air w/t h pennis grit and small ;
Syne luik to man, that he maid last of all,
Lyke to his image and his similitude :
Be thir we knaw that god is fair and gude.
All creture he maid for the behuif
Of man, and to his supportatioun
In to this eirth, baith vnder and abuif,
In number, wecht, and dew proportioun ;
The difference of tyme, and ilk seasoun,
Concordand till oure oppertunitie , 1
As daylie be experience we may se.
F. 45 a. The somer with his Iolie mantill grene,
With flouris fair furrit on euerilk fent,
Quhilk flora goddes, of the flouris quene,
Hes to that lord as for his seasoun lent,
And phebus with his goldin bemis gent
Hes purfellit and payntit plesandly,
With heit and moysture stilland frome the sky.
Syne heruest hait, quhen Ceres that goddes
Hir bamis benit hes with abundance ;
And bachus, god of wyne, renewit hes
The tume pypeis in Italie and france,
With wynis wicht, and liquour of plesance ;
And copta tentporta to fill hir home,
That neuer wes full of quheit nor vther corne.
1 MS. * oppertumitie. ’
[harleian
1660
1665
1670
1675
1680
Digitized by L^ooQle
126
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
Syne wynter wan, quhen Austeme Eolus,
God of the wynd, with blastis boreall,
The grene garment of Somer glorious
Hes all to rent and reuin in pecis small ;
Than flouris fair faiddit with frost man fall,
And birdis blyith changit thair noitis sweit
In still murning, neir slane with snaw and sleit
The dalis deip with dubbis drownit is,
Baith hill and holt heillit with frostis hair ;
And bewis bene baissit bair of blis,
Be wickit windis of the winter 1 wair.
All wyld beistis than from the bentis bair
Drawis for dreid vnto thair dennis deip,
Coucheand for cauld in coifis thame to keip.
C Syne cummis Uer, quhen winter is away,
The Secretar of Somer with his Seill,
Quhen Columbie vp keikis throw the clay,
Quhilk fleit wes befoir with frostis fell.
The Mauis and the Merle beginnis to mell ;
The Lark on loft, with vther birdis small,
Than drawis furth fra derne, ouer doun and daill.
That samin seasoun, in to ane soft morning,
Richt blyith that bitter blastis wer ago,
Vnto the wod, to se the flouris spring,
And heir the Maueis sing and birdis mo,
I passit furth, syne lukit to and fro,
To se the Soill that wes richt sessonabill,
Sappie, and to resaif all seidis abill.
1 Orig. ‘wickit.*
Digitized by
Google
1685
1690
169s
1700
1705
1710
THE SWALLOW AND THE OTHER BIRDS.
127
[harleian
Syne winter wan, quhen austeme eolus, 1685
God of the wynd, with blastis boreall,
The grene garment of somer glorious
Hes altorent and revin in pecis small ;
Than flouris fair faiddit with frost man fall,
And birdis blyith chaingit thair noitis sweit 1690
In still mumiwg, neir slane with snaw and sleit.
The daillis deip with dubbis drounit is,
F. 45 b. Baith hill and holt heillit with frostis hair;
And bewis bene laifit bair of blis,
Be wickit windis of the winter wair. 1695
All wyld beistis than frome the bentis bair
Drawis for dreid vnto thair dennis deip,
Couchand for cauld in coifis thame to keip.
Syne cu*wis ver, quhen winter is away,
The secretar of somer with his seill, 1700
Quhen columbie vpkeikis throw the clay,
Quhilk fleit was before with froistis fell.
The maueis and the merle begy/mis to mell ;
The lark on loft, with vther birdis haill,
Than drawis furth fra 1 derne, ouer doun & daill. 1705
That samyn seasoun, in to ane soft morning,
Richt blyith that bitter blastis wer ago,
Vnto the wod, to se the flouris spring,
And heir the maueis sing and birdis mo,
I passit furth, syne luikit to and fro, 1710
To se the soill quhilk was richt seasonable,
Sappie, and to resaue all seidis able.
1 MS. ‘ouer.*
Digitized by L^ooQle
128
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
Moiling thusgait, greit mirth I tuke in mynd,
Of lauboraris to se the besines,
Sum makand dyke, and sum the pleuch can wynd,
Sum sawand seidis fast frome place to place, 1715
The Harrowis hoppand in the saweris trace :
It wes greit Ioy to him that lufit corne,
To se thame laubour, baith at euin and mome.
And as I baid vnder ane bank full bene,
In hart greitlie reiosit of that sicht, 1720
Vnto ane hedge, vnder ane Hawthorne grene,
Of small birdis thair come ane ferlie flicht,
And doun belyif can on the leifis licht,
On euerilk syde about me quhair I stude,
Richt meruelous, ane mekill multitude. 1725
Amang the quhilk/V ane Swallow loud couth cry,
On that Hawthorne hie in the croip sittand :
* O 3e Birdis on leiffis heir me by,
3e sail weill knaw, and wyislie vnderstand,
Quhair danger is or perrell appeirand ; 1730
It is greit wisedome to prouyde befoir,
It to deuoid, for dreid it hurt 30W moir.’
* Schir Swallow/ quod the Lark agane, & leuch,
* Quhat haif }e sene that causis 30W to dreid ? * 1734
‘ Se 3e 3one Churll/ quod scho, ‘ be3ond 3one pleuch,
Fast sawand hemp, lo se, 1 and linget seid ?
3one lint will grow in lytill tyme in deid,
And thairof will 3one Churll his Nettis mak,
Under the quhilk he thinkis vs to tak.
1 Orig. ‘lose.* Cf. p. 235, 1. 123.
Digitized by
Google
THE SWALLOW AND THE OTHER BIRDS.
I29
[harleian
Mouing thus gait, grit mirth I tuik in mynd,
Of lawboraris to se the besines,
Sum makand dyke, and sum the pleuch can wynd, 1715
F. 46 a. Sum sawand seidis fast frome place to place,
The harrowis hoppand in the saweris trace :
It wes grit ioy to him that luifit come,
To se thame labour, baith at evin and morae.
And as I baid vnder ane bank full bene, 1720
In hart gritlie reioisit of that sicht,
Vnto ane hege, vnder ane hawthome grene,
Of small birdis thair come ane ferlie flicht,
And doun belyif can on the leifis licht,
On euerie side about me quhair I stuid, 1725
Richt meruelous, ane mekle multitude.
Amang the quhilkis ane swallow loud can cry,
On that hawthome hie in the crope sittand :
* O }e birdis on bewis heir me by,
3e sail weill knaw, and wyselie vnderstand, 1730
Quhair danger is or perrell apperand ;
It is grit wisdome to prouide befoir,
It to deuoid, for dreid it hurt 30W moir.’
* Schir swallow, 1 quod the lark agane, and leuch,
‘Quhat haif }e sene that causis 30W to dreid ?’ 1735
‘ Se 3e 3one churle,* quod scho, ‘ beyond ^one pleuch,
F. 46 6 . Fast sawand hemp, and gude linget seid?
3one li#t will grow in litill tyme indeid,
And thairof will ^one churl e his nettis mak,
Vnder the quhilk he thinkis ws to tak. 1740
VOL. 11.
1
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE FABLES.
130
CHARTERIS]
‘ Thairfoir I reid we pas quhen he is gone, 1740
At euin, and with our naillis scharp and small
Out of the eirth scraip we 3 one seid anone,
And eit it vp ; for, gif it growis, we sail
Haif caus to weip heirefter ane and all :
Se we remeid thairfoir furth with Instante, 1745
Nam leuius ledit quicquid preuidimus 1 ante .
* For Clerkis sayis it is nocht sufficient
To considder that is befoir thyne Ee ;
Bot prudence is ane inwart Argument,
That garris ane man prouyde and foirse 1750
Quhat gude, quhat euill is liklie for to be
Of euerilk thing euin at the finall end,
And swa fra perrell the better him defend. ,
The Lark, lauchand, J?e Swallow this couth scome,
And said, c scho fischit lang befoir the Net ;
The barne is eith to busk that is vnbome ;
All growis nocht that in the ground is set ;
The nek to stoup, quhen it the straik sail get,
Is sone aneuch ; deith on the fayest fall/ —
Thus scornit thay the Swallow ane and all.
C Despysing thus hir helthsum document,
The foullis ferlie tuke thair flicht anone ;
Sum with ane bir thay braidit ouer the bent,
And sum agane ar to the grene woid gone.
Upon the land, quhair I wes left allone, 1765
I tuke my club, and hamewart couth I carie,
Swa ferliand, as I had sene ane farie.
1 Orig. * preuiuimus,'
1755
1760
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE SWALLOW AND THE OTHER BIRDS.
131
[harleian
‘ Thairfoir I reid we pas quhen he is gone,
At evin, and with oure naillis scharpe and small 1
Out of the eirth scrape we ^one seid anone,
And eit it vp ; for, gif it growis, we sail
Haue caus to weip heirefter ane and all : 1745
Se we remeid thairfoir w/t^ instante,
Warn lettma letut qutcqttfo ptaeuttotmus ante*
‘ For clerkis sayis it is not sufficient
To considder that is before thine ee ;
Bot prudence is ane inwart argument, 1750
That garris ane man prouide and forese
Quhat guid, quhat euill is liklie for to be,
Of euerie thing behald the finell end,
And swa fra perrell the better him defend.’
The lark, lauchand, the swallow this couth scorne, 1755
And said, * scho fischit lang before the net ;
The bame is eith to busk that is vnborne ;
F. 47 a. All growis not that in the ground is set ;
The nek to stoup, quhen it the straik sail get,
Is sone aneuch; deith on the fayest fall.’ — 1760
Thus scornit thay the swallow ane and all.
Dispysing thus hir helthsum document,
The foullis ferlie tuik thair flicht anone ;
Sum with ane bir thay braiddit ouer the bent,
And sum agane ar to the grene wod gone. 1765
Vpon the land, quhair I was left allone,
I tuik my club, and hamewart couth I carie,
Swa ferliand, as I had sene ane farie.
1 MS. ‘lang.’
Digitized by L^ooQle
132
THE FABLES.
CHARTER IS]
Thus passit furth quhill Iune, that Iolie tyde,
And seidis that wer sawin of beforne
Wer growin hie, that Hairis mycht thame hyde,
And als the Quai^e craikand in the corne ;
I mouit furth, betuix midday and morne,
Unto the hedge, vnder the Hawthorne grene,
Quhair I befoir the said birdis had sene.
And as I stude, be auenture and cace,
The samin birdis as I haif said 30W air,
I hoip because it wes thair hanting place,
Mair of succour or }it mair solitair,
Thay lychtit doun ; and, quhen thay lychtit war,
The Swallow swyith put furth ane pietuous pyme,
Said, ‘ wo is him can not bewar in tyme !
‘ O, blind birdis ! and full of negligence,
Unmyndfull of }our awin prosperitie,
Lift vp 3our sicht and tak gude aduertence ;
Luke to the Lint that growis on 3one le ;
3one is the thing I bad forsuith that we,
Quhill it wes seid, suld rute furth of the eird ;
Now is it Lint, now is it hie on breird.
C * Go 3it, quhill it is tender and small, 1
And pull it vp ; let it na mair Incres ;
My flesche growis, my bodie quaikis all,
Thinkand on it I may not sleip in peis.’
Thay cryit all and bad the Swallow ceis,
And said, ‘3one Lint heirefter will do gude,
For linget is to lytill birdis fude.
1 See p. 237.
Digitized by
Google
1770
177s
1780
178s
1790
1795
THE SWALLOW AND THE OTHER BIRDS. 1 33
[harleian
Thus passit furth quhill iune, that iolie tyde,
And seidis that war sawin of befome 1770
Wer growin [hie 1 ] J that hairis micht thame hide,
And als the quail^e craikand in the come ;
I mouit furth, betuix midday and mome,
Vnto the hedge, vnder the hawthorne grene,
Quhair I befoir the said birdis had sene. 1775
And as I stuid, be auenture and cace,
The samyn birdis as I haif said }ow air,
I hope becaus it was thair hanting place,
Mair of succour or }it mair soliter,
Thay lichtit doun ; and, quhen thay lichtit wair, 1780
F. 47 b. The swallow swyth put furth ane pietious pyme,
Said, * wo is him can not be war in tyme !
* O, blind birdis ! and full of negligence,
Vnmyndfull of }our awin prosperitie,
Lift vp ^our sicht and tak guid aduertence ; 1785
Luik to the lint that growis on sone le ;
3one is the thing I bad forsuith that we,
Quhill it was seid, suld rute furth of the eird ;
Now is it lint, now is it he on breird.
‘Go ^it, quhill it is tender 2 and small, 1790
And pull it vp ; let it na mair incres ;
My flesche growis, my bodie quaikis all,
Thinkand on it I may not sleip in peis.’
Thay cry it all and bad the swallow ceis,
And said, ‘sone lint heirefter will do gude, 1795
For linget is to litill birdis fude.
1 See p. 132 and p. 236. 2 See p. 237.
Digitized by L^ooQle
134
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
* We think, quhen that 3one lint bollis ar ryip,
To mak vs Feist, and fill vs of the seid,
Magre 3one Churll, and on it sing and pyip.’
* Weill/ quod the Swallow, ‘ freindis hardlie beid ;
Do as 3e will, bot certane sair I dreid,
Heirefter 3e sail find als sour as sweit,
Quhen 3e ar speldit on 3one Carlis speit.
‘ The awner of 3one lint ane fouler is,
Richt cautelous and full of subteltie ;
His pray full sendill tymis will he mis,
Bot gif we birdis all the warrer be ;
Full mony of our kin he hes gart de,
And thocht it bot ane sport to spill thair blude :
God keip me fra him, and the halie Rude/
Thir small birdis haifand but lytill thocht
Of perrell that micht fall be auenture,
The counsell of the Swallow set at nocht,
Bot tuke thair flicht and furth togidder fure ;
Sum to the woid, sum markit to the Mure.
I tuke my staf, quhen this wes said and done,
And walkit hame, for it drew neir the none.
c The Lint ryipit, the Carll pullit the Lyne,
Rippillit the bollis, and in beitis set,
It steipit in the burn, and dryit syne,
And with ane Betill knokkit it and bet,
Syne swingillit it weill, and hekkillit in the flet ;
His wyfe it span, and twynit it in to threid,
Of quhilk the Fowlar Nettis maid in deid.
Digitized by
Google
1800
1805
l8lO
1815
1820
THE SWALLOW AND THE OTHER BIRDS.
135
[harleian
* Me think, quhen that }one lint bollis ar ryip,
To raak ws feist, and fill ws of the seid,
Magre }one churle, and on it sing and pype/
‘Weill,* quod the swallow, ‘freindis hardlie beid; 1800
Do as }e will, bot certane sair I dreid,
48 a. Heirefter }e sail find als sour as sweit,
Quhen 3e ar speildit on ^one carlis speit.
‘ The awner of }one lint ane fouler is,
Richt cawtelous and full of subtiltie ; 1805
His pray full sindill tymes will he mis,
Bot gif we birdis all the warrer be ;
Full mony of oure kin he hes gart die,
And thocht it bot ane sport to spill thair blude :
God keip me fra him, and the halie rude.* 1810
Thir small birdis haueand but litill thocht
Of perrell that micht fall be auenture,
The counsell of the swallow set at nocht,
Bot tuik thair flicht and furth to gidder fure ;
Sum to the wod, sum markit to the mure. 1815
I tuik my stalf, quhen this was said and done,
And walkit hame, for it drew neir the none.
The lint rypit, the carle pullit the lyne,
Rippillit the bollis, and in beitis set,
It steipit in the burne, and dryit syne, 1820
And with ane bittill knokit it and bet,
Syne swyngillit it weill, and hekkillit in J?e flet ;
. 48 b. His wyfe it span, and twynit it in to threid,
Of quhilk the fouller nettis maid indeid.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE FABLES.
136
CHARTERIS]
The wynter come, the wickit wind can blaw,
The woddis grene wer wallowit with the weit, 1825
Baith firth and fell with froistis wer maid faw,
Slonkis and slaik maid slidderie with the sleit ;
The foulis fair for fait thay fell of feit ;
On bewis bair it wes na bute to byde,
Bot hyit vnto housis thame to hyde. 1830
Sum in the barn, sum in the stak of corne
Thair lugeing tuke and maid thair residence ;
The Fowlar saw, and greit aithis hes sworne
Thay suld be tane trewlie for thair expence.
His nettis hes he set with diligence, 1835
And in the snaw he schulit hes ane plane,
And heillit it all ouer with calf agane.
Thir small birdis seand the calf wes glaid ;
Trowand it had bene corne, thay lychtit doun ;
Bot of the Nettis na presume thay had, 1840
Nor of the Fowlaris fals Intentioun ;
To scraip and seik thair meit thay maid thame boun.
The Swallow on ane lytill branche neir by,
Dreidand for gyle, thus loud on thame couth cry :
C * In to that calf scraip quhill ^our naillis bleid, 1845
Thair is na corne, 3e laubour all in vane ;
Trow 3e ^one Churll for pietie will 30W feid?
Na, na, he hes it heir layit for ane trane ;
Remoue, I reid, or ellis 3e will be slane ;
His Nettis he hes set full priuely, 1850
Reddie to draw ; in tyme be war for thy/
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE SWALLOW AND THE OTHER BIRDS.
137
[harleian
The winter come, the wickit wind can blaw,
The wodis grene war wallowit w/t^ the weit,
Baith firth and fell with froistis war maid faw,
Slonkis and slaik maid slidderrie with the sleit ;
The foulis fair for fait thay fell of feit ;
On bewis bair it was na bute to byde,
Bot hyit vnto housis thame to hide.
Sum in the barn, sum in the stak of corne
Thair lugeing tuik and maid thair residence ;
The foular saw, and grit aithis hes sworne
Thay suld be tane trewlie for thair expence. 1835
His nettis hes he set with diligence,
And in the snaw he schuillit hes ane plane,
And heillit it all ouer with calf agane.
Thir small birdis seand the calf was glaid ;
Trowand it had bene corne, thay lichtit doun; 1840
Bot of the nettis na presume thay had,
Nor of the fowlaris fals intentioun ;
F. 49 a . To scraip and seik thair meit thay maid thame boun.
The swallow on ane litill brenche neir by,
Dreidand for gile, thus loud on thame couth cry : 1845
1825
1830
4 In to that calf scraip quhill }our naillis bleid,
Thair is na corne, }e laubour all in vane ;
Trow 3e ^one churle for pietie will 30W feid ?
Na, na, he hes it heir layit for ane trane ;
Remoue, I reid, or ellis }e wilbe slane ; 1850
His nettis he hes set full priuely,
Reddie to draw ; in tyme bewar for thy/
Digitized by
Google
138
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
Greit fule is he that puttis in dangeir
His lyfe, his honour, for ane thing of nocht ;
Greit fule is he that will not glaidlie heir
Counsall in tyme, quhill it auaill him mocht; 1855
Greit fule is he that hes na thyng in thocht
Bot thing present, and efter quhat may fall,
Nor of the end hes na memoriall.
Thir small birdis for hunger famischit neir,
Full besie scraipand for to seik thair fude, i860
The counsall of the Swallow wald not heir,
Suppois thair laubour did thame lytill gude.
Quhen scho thair fulusche hartis vnderstude,
Sa Indurat, vp in ane tre scho flew ;
With that this Churll ouer thame his Nettis drew. 1865
Allace ! it wes greit hart sair for to se
That bludie Boucheour bet thay birdis doun,
And for till heir, quhen thay wist weill to de,
Thair cairfull sang and lamentatioun :
Sum with ane staf he straik to eirth on swoun, 1870
Of sum the heid he straik, of sum he brak the crag,
Sum half on lyfe he stoppit in his bag.
And quhen the Swallow saw that thay war deid,
* Lo,’ quod scho, ‘ thus it happinnis mony syis
Of thame that will not tak counsall and reid 1875
Of Prudent men or Clerkis that ar wyis ;
This greit perrell I tauld thame mair than thryis ;
Now ar thay deid, and wo is me thair foir ! ’
Scho tuke hir flicht, bot I hir saw no moir. 1879
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE SWALLOW AND THE OTHER BIRDS.
139
[harleian
Grit fule is he that puttis in dangeir
His lyfe, his honour, for ane thing of nocht ;
Grit fule is he that will not glaidlie heir 1855
Counsall in tyme, quhill it auaill him nocht 1 ;
Grit fule is he that hes na thing in thocht
Bot thing present, and efter quhat may fall,
Nor of the end hes na memoriall.
Thir small birdis for hunger famischit neir, i860
Full besie scraipand for to seik thair fude,
The counsall of the swallow wald not heir,
Suppois thair laubour did thame litill gude.
F. 49 b. Quhen scho thair fulische hartis vnderstude,
Sa indurat, vp in ane tre scho flew ; 1865
With that this churle ouer thame his nettis drew.
Allace 1 it was grit hart sair for to se
That bludie bowcheour beit thay birdis doun,
And for to heir, quhen thay wist weill to de,
Thair cairfull sang and lamentatioun : 1870
Sum with, ane staf he straik to eirth on swouri,
Of sum the heid he straik, of sum he brak the crag,
Sum half on lyfe he stoppit in his bag.
And quhen the swallow saw that thay war deid,
‘Lo,* quod scho, ‘thus it happywnis mony syis 1875
Of thame that will not tak counsall and reid
Of prudent men and clerkis that ar wyse ;
This grit perrell I tauld thame mair than thryis ;
Now ar thay deid, and wo is me thairfoir ! *
Scho tuik hir flicht, bot I hir saw no moir. 1880
jjima.
1 Cf. pp. 138, 239.
Digitized by L^ooQle
140
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
Moralitas.
LO, WORTHIE FOLK, ESOPE, that Nobill Clerk,
Ane Poet worthie to be Lawreat,
Quhen that he waikit from mair aute#tik werk,
With vther ma, this foirsaid Fabill wrait,
Quhilk at this tyme may weill be applicat
To guid morall edificatioun, 1885
Haifand ane sentence according to ressoun.
This Carll and Bond of gentrice spoliat,
Sawand this calf, thir small birdis to sla,
It is the Feind, quhilk fra the Angelike stait
Exylit is, as fals Apostata : 1890
Quhilk day and nicht weryis not for to ga
Sawand poysoun in mony wickit thocht
In mannis Saull, quhilk Christ full deir hes bocht.
And quhen the Saull, as seid in to the eird,
Geuis consent vnto delectioun, 1
The wickit thocht beginnis for to breird
In deidlie sin, quhilk is dampnatioun ;
Ressoun is blindit with affectioun,
And carnall lust growis full grene and gay,
Throw consuetude hantit from day to day.
Proceding furth be vse and consuetude,
The sin ryipis, and schame is set on syde ;
The Feynd plettis his Nettis scharp and rude,
And vnder plesance preuilie dois hyde ;
Syne on the feild he sawis calf full wyde, 1905
Quhilk is bot tume and verray vanitie
Of fleschlie lust and vaine prosperitie.
1 Cf. p. 241.
1895
1900
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE SWALLOW AND THE OTHER BIRDS.
141
[harleian
f. 50 a. flSoraUtae.
X0 t Wittbfe fOlft, Esope, that noble clerk,
Ane poet wirthie to be lawriate,
Quhen that he vaikit frome mair autentik werk,
With vther ma, this foirsaid fabill wrait,
Quhilk at this tyme may weill be applecate 1885
To guid morale edificatioun,
Hauand ane sentence according to ressoun.
This carle and bond of gentrice spoliate,
Sawand this calf, thir small birdis to sla,
It is the feind, quhilk fra the angelike stait 1890
Exylit is, as fals apostata :
Quhilk day and nicht weryis not for to ga
Sawand poysoun in mony wickit thocht
In ma#nis saule, quhilk full deir Christ hes bocht.
And quhen the saule, as seid in to the eird, 1895
Gifts consent vnto delectioun, 1
The wickit thocht begy/mis for to breird
In deidlie sin, quhilk is dampnatioun ;
Ressoun is blindit w/M affectioun,
And camell lust growis full grene and gay, 1 900
Throw conswetude hantit frome day to day.
F. 50 b. Proceding furth be vse and consuetude,
The sin ryipis, and schame is set on side ;
The feind plettis his nettis scharpe and rude,
And vnder plesance preuilie dois hyde ; 1905
Syne on the feild he sawis calf full wyde,
Quhilk is bot tume and verray vanitie
Of fleschlie lust and vane prosperitie.
1 Cf. p. 241.
Digitized by L^ooQle
142
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
C Thir hungrie birdis wretchis we may call,
As scraipand in this warldis [vane x ] plesance,
Greddie to gadder gudis temporall, 1910
Quhilk as the calf ar tume without substance,
Lytill of auaill, and full of variance,
Lyke to the mow befoir the face of wind
Quhiskis away and makis wretchis blind.
This Swallow, quhilk eschaipit is the snair, 1 9 1 5
The halie Preicheour weill may signifie,
Exhortand folk to walk and ay be war
Fra Nettis of our wickit enemie,
Quha sleipis not, bot euer is reddie,
Quhen wretchis in this warld calf dois scraip, 1920
To draw his Net, that thay may not eschaip.
Allace ! quhat cair, quhat weiping is and wo,
Quhen Saull and bodie departi t ar in twane ;
The bodie to the wormis Keiching go,
The Saull to Fyre, to euerlestand pane. 1925
Quhat help is 2 than this calf, thir gudis vane;
Quhen thow art put in Luciferis bag,
And brocht to hell, and hangit be the crag ?
Thir hid Nettis for to persaue and se,
This sarie calf wyislie to vnderstand, I 93°
Best is 8 be war in maist prosperite,
For in this warld thair is na thing lestand ;
Is na man wait how lang his stait will stand,
His lyfe will lest, nor how that he sail end
Efter his deith, nor quhidder he sail wend. 1935
1 See pp. 143, 241. 2 Seep. 242. 8 Orig. ‘Beistis.’
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE SWALLOW AND THE OTHER BIRDS.
143
Thir hungrie birdis wretchis we may call,
As scraipand in this warldis vane plesance,
Greddie to gadder guidis temporall,
Quhilk as the calf ar tume without substance,
Litill of auaill, and full of varience,
Like to the mow before the face of wind
Quhiskis away and makis wratchis blind.
This swallow, quhilk eschaipit hes the snair,
The halie preichour weill may signifie,
Exhortand folk to walk and ay be wair
Fra nettis of oure wickit enemie,
Quha sleipis not, bot euer is reddie,
Quhen wretchis in this warld calf dois scraip,
To draw his net, than may thay not eschaip.
Allace ! quhat cair, quhat weiping is and wo,
F. 51 a. Quhen saule and bodie depairtit ar in twane ;
The bodie to the wormes keitching go,
The saule to fire, to euerlestand pane.
Quhat help is 1 than this calf, thir guidis vane,
Quhen thow art put in luciferis bag,
And brocht to hell, and hangit be the crag ?
Thir hid nettis for to persaue and se,
This sarie calf wyislie to vnderstand,
Best is bewar in maist prosperitie,
For in this warld thair is na thing lestand ;
Is na man wait how lang his stait will stand,
His lyfe will lest, nor how that he sail end
Efter his deith, nor quhidder he sail wend.
1 See p. 242.
[harleian
1910
191S
1920
1925
1930
*935
Digitized by L^ooQle
144
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
C Pray we thairfoir, quhill we ar in this lyfe,
For four thingis : the first, fra sin remufe ;
The secund is fra all weir and stryfe ; 1
The thrid is perfite cheritie and lufe ;
The feird thing is, and maist for oure behufe, 1940
That is in blis with Angellis to be fallow.
And thus endis the preiching of the Swallow.
C Finis.
C THE TAILL OF THE UOLF THAT GAT
THE NEKHERING THROW THE WRINKIS
OF THE FOXE THAT BEGYLIT THE
CADGEAR.
Q UHYLUM THAIR wynnit in ane wildernes,
As myne Authour expreslie can declair,
Ane reuand Uolf, that leuit vpon cais 1945
On bestiall, and maid him weill to fair ;
Was nane sa big about him he wald spair,
And he war hungrie, outher for fauour or feid,
Bot in his breith he weryit thame to deid.
Swa happinnit him in watching, as he went, 1950
To meit ane Foxe in middis of the way ;
He him foirsaw, and fen3eit to be schent,
And with ane bek he bad the Uolf gude day.
‘ Welcum to me/ quod he, 4 thow Russell gray ; ’
Syne loutit doun, and tuke him be the hand. 1955
4 Ryse vp, Lowrence, I leif the for to stand.
1 Cf. p. 242.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE FOX, THE WOLF, AND THE CADGER. I45
[harleian
Pray we thairfore, quhill we ar in this lyfe,
For foure thingis : the first, fra sin remufe ;
The secund is fra all weir and stryif ; 1
The thrid is p<rrfite charitie and luif ; 1940
The feird thing is, and maist for oure behuif,
That is in blis with angellis to be fallow.
And thus endis the preiching of the swallow.
f. 5 i t. Gbe tafll of tbe wolf tbat gat
tbe nefcbering throw tbe wri*
nftto of tbe foye tbat beaUit
tbe cabaear.
ubtlum tbafr wynnit in a wildernes,
As myne authour expreslie can declair, 1945
Ane reuand wolf, that leuit vpoun purche[s] 2
On bestiall, and maid him weill to fair ;
Was nane sa big about him he wald spair,
And he wer hungrie, outher for fauour or feid,
Bot in his wraith he werryit thame to deid. 1950
Swa happy«nit him in wetching, as he went,
To meit ane foxe in middis of the way ;
He him foirsaw, and fein^eit to be schent,
And with ane bek he bad the wolf gud day.
‘ Welcum to me/ quod he, * thow russell gray ; ’ 1955
Syne loutit doun, and tuik him be the hand.
‘ Ryse vp, lowrence, I leif the for to stand.
1 Cf. p. 242.
VOL. II.
2 The ‘ s * has been cut off by the binder.
K
Digitized by L^ooQle
146
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
‘ Quhair hes thow bene this sesoun fra my sicht ?
Thow sail beir office, and my Stewart be,
For thow can knap doun Caponis on the nicht,
And, lourand law, thow can gar hennis de.’ i960
‘ Schir/ said the Foxe, ‘ that ganis nocht for me :
And I am raid, gif thay me se on far,
That at my figure beist and bird will skar.’
C * Na/ quod the Uolf, * thow can in couert creip,
Upon thy wame, and hint thame be the heid ; 1965
And mak ane suddand schow vpon ane scheip,
Syne with thy wappinnis wirrie him to deid.’
‘ Schir,’ said the Foxe, ‘ 3e knaw my Roib is reid,
And thairfoir thair will na beist abyde me,
Thocht I wald be sa fals as for to hyde me.’ 1970
‘ Bis,' quod the Uolf, ‘ throw buskis and throw bray/V, 1
Law can thow lour to cum to thy Intent.’
‘ Schir/ said the Foxe, ‘ 3e wait weill how it gais ;
Ane lang space fra thame thay will feill my sent,
Then will thay eschaip, suppois I suld be schent; 1975
And I am schamefull for to cum behind thame
In to the feild, thocht I suld sleipand find thame.’
‘ Na/ quod the Uolf, ‘ thow can cum on the wind,
For euerie wrink, forsuith, thow hes ane wyle.’
‘Schir/ said the Foxe, ‘that beist 3e micht call blind, 1980
That micht not eschaip than fra me ane myle.
How micht I ane of thame that wyis begyle ?
My tippit twa eiris, and my twa gray Ene,
Garris me be kend, quhair I wes neuer sene.’
1 Orig. ‘ buy&.’
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE FOX, THE WOLF, AND THE CADGER. 1 4 7
[harleian
4 Quhair hes thow bene this sesoun fra my sicht ?
Thow sail beir office, and my stewart be,
F. 52 a . For thow can knap doun caponis on the nicht, i960
And, lowrand law, thow can gar hennis de.’
4 Schir,’ said the foxe, 4 that ganis not for me :
And I am rad, gif thay me se on far,
That at my figure beist and bird will skar.’
4 Na,’ quod the wolf, ‘thow can in couert creip, 1965
Vpoun thy wame, and hint thame be the heid ;
And mak ane suddane chow vpoun ane scheip,
Syne with thy wappywnis wirrie him to deid.’
* Schir,’ said the fox, 4 }e knaw my rob is reid,
And thairfoir thair will na beist abide me, 1970
Thocht I wald be sa fals as for to hide me.’
4 3 is quod the wolf, 4 throw buskis and throw breiris,
Law can thow lour to cum to thine intent.’
4 Schir,’ said the fox, 4 }e wait weill how it gais ;
Ane lang space fra thame thay feill my sent, 1975
Then will thay eschaip, suppois thay suld be schent ;
And I am schamefull for to cum behind thame
In to the feild, thocht I suld sleipand find thame.’
4 Na,’ quod the wolf, 4 thow can cum on the wind,
For euerie wrink, forsuith, thow hes ane wyle.’ 1980
4 Schir,’ said the fox, 4 that beist $e micht call blind,
F. 52 b. That micht not eschaip than fra me ane myle.
How micht I ane of thame that wyis begile ?
My tippit twa eiris, and my twa gray ene,
Garris me be kend, quhair I was neuer sene.’ 1985
Digitized by L^ooQle
148
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
‘Than/ said the Uolf, * Lowrence, I heir the le, 1985
And castis for perrellis thy ginnes to defend ;
Bot all thy sonjeis sail not auaill the,
About the busk with wayis thocht thow wend ;
Falset will failje ay at the latter end ;
To bow at bidding, and byde not quhill thow brest, 1990
Thairfoir I gif the counsall for the best.*
C ‘ Schir/ said the Foxe, * it is Lentring, 3e se ;
I can nouther fische with huke nor Net,
To tak ane Banestikill ; thocht we baith suld de,
I had [n]ane vther craft to win my meit ; 1995
Bot wer it Pasche, that men suld pultrie eit,
As Kiddis, Lambis, or Caponis in to ply,
To beir 30m office than wald I not set by/
‘ Than/ said the Uolf, in wraith, ‘ wenis thow with wylis,
And with thy mony mowis me to mat ? 2000
It is ane auld Dog, doutles, that thow begylis :
Thow wenis to Draw the stra befoir the catt ! ’
* Schir/ said the Foxe, ‘ God wait, I mene not that ;
For and I did, it wer weill worth that 3e
In ane reid Raip had tyit me till ane tre. 2005
‘ Bot now I se he is ane fule perfay
That with his maister fallis in ressoning ;
I did bot till assay quhat 3e wald say ;
God wait, my mynd wes on ane vther thing ;
I sail fulfill in all thing 30m bidding, 2010
Quhat euer 3e charge, on nichtis or on dayis/
* Weill/ quod the Uolf, ‘ I heir weill quhat thow sayis.
Digitized by
Google
THE FOX, THE WOLF, AND THE CADGER. 149
[harleian
* Than/ said the wolf, * lowrence, I heir the le,
And castis for perrellis thy ginnes to defend ;
Bot all thy seizes sail not auaill the,
About the busk with wayis thocht thow wend ;
Falset will faille ay at the latter end ; 1990
To bow at bidding, and byde not quhill thow brest,
Thairfoir I gif the counsall for the best. 7
‘ Schir/ said the fox, * it is lenteme, }e se ;
I can not fische, for weitting of my feit,
To tak ane bane stikkill ; thocht we baith suld de, 1995
I haif na vther craft to win my meit ;
Bot war it pasche, that men suld pultrie eit,
As kiddis, lambes, or caponis in to ply,
To beir $our office than wald I not set by/ 1999
* Than/ said the wolf, in wraith, * wenis thow with wylis,
And with thy mony mowis me to mat ?
It is ane auld dog, doutles, that thow begilis :
Thow wenis to draw the stra befoir the catt ! 7
* Schir/ said the fox, * god wait, I mene not that ;
F. S3 <x. For and I did, it war weill worth that }e 2005
In ane reid raip had tyit me till ane tre.
* Bot now I se he is ane fule perfay
That with his maister fallis in ressoning ;
I did bot till assay quhat }e wald say ;
God wait, my mynd was on ane vther thing; 2010
I sail fulfill in all thing 30 ur bidding,
Quhat euer 3e chairge, on nichtis or on dayis/
1 Weill/ quod the wolf, 1 I wait weill quhat thow sayis.
Digitized by
Google
THE FABLES.
ISO
CHARTERIS]
* Bot 3it I will thow mak to me ane aith,
For to be leill attour all leuand leid.’ 2014
c Schir,’ said the Foxe, i that ane word mak is me wraith,
For now I se 3e haif me at ane dreid ;
3it sail I sweir, suppois it be not neid,
Be Iuppiter, and on pane of my heid,
I sail be trew to 30W, quhill I be deid.’
With that ane Cadgear, with capill & with creillis, 2020
Come carpand furth ; than drew this Boucheour by.
The fox the flewer of the fresche hering feillis,
And to the Uolf he roundis priuelie :
* Schir, 3one ar hering the Cadgear caryis by ;
Thairfoir I reid that we se for sum wayis 2025
To get sum fische aganis thir fasting dayis.
C ‘ Sen I am Stewart, I wald we had sum stuf,
And 3e ar siluer seik, I wait richt weill ;
Thocht we wald thig 3one verray Churlische chuf,
He will not gif vs ane hering of his Creill, 2030
Befoir 3one Churle on kneis thocht we wald kneill ;
Bot 3it I trow alsone that 3e sail se,
Gif I can traist 1 to bleir 3one Carllis Ee.
‘ Schir, ane thing is, and we get of 3one pelf,
3e man tak trauell and mak vs sum supple; 20 35
For he that will not laubour and help him self,
In to thir dayis, he is not worth ane fle ;
I think to wirk as besie as ane Be.
And 3e sail follow ane lytill efterwart,
And gadder hering, for that sail be 3our part/ 2040
1 Orig. indistinct. Cf. p. 151.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE FOX, THE WOLF, AND THE CADGER.
151
[harleian
4 Bot sit I will thow mak to me ane aith,
For to be leill attour all leuand leid.’ 2015
4 Schir,’ said the foxe, 4 that ane word makis me wraith,
For now I se }e haif me at ane dreid ;
3it sail I sweir, suppois it be not neid,
Be Iuppiter, and on pane of my heid,
I salbe trew to sow, quhill I be deid.’ 2020
With that ane cadgear, with capill and with creillis,
Come carpand furth ; than lowrence culd him spy.
The fox the flewar of the fresche heiring feillis,
And to the wolf he roundis priuely :
4 Schir, sone ar hering the cadgear caryis by ; 2025
Thairfoir I rid that we se for sum wayis
To get sum fische aganis thir fasting dayis.
F. S3 b. 4 Sen I am stewart, I wald we had sum stuff,
And se ar siluer seik, I wait richt weill ;
Thocht we wald thig sone verray churlische chuff, 2030
He will not gif ws ane hering of his creill,
Befoir sone churle on kneis thocht we wald kneill ;
Bot sit I trow alsone that se sail se,
Gif I can craft to bleir sone carlis ee.
‘Schir, ane thing is, and we get of sone pelf, 2035
}e man tak trauell and mak ws sum supple ;
For he that will not labour and help him self,
In to thir dayis, he is not worth ane fle ;
I think to wirk as bessie as ane be.
And se sail follow ane litill efterwart, 2040
And gadder hering, for that salbe sour pairt.’
Digitized by L^ooQle
152
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
With that he kest ane compas far about,
And straucht him doun in middis of the way,
As he war deid he fenjeit him, but dout,
And than vpon ane lang vnliklie bray
The quhyte of his Ene he turnit vp in tway ; 2045
His toung out hang ane handbreid of his heid,
And still he lay, als straucht as he wer deid.
C The Cadgear fand the Foxe, and he wes fane,
And till him self this softlie can he say :
* At the nixt bait, in Faith, 3e sail be flane, 2050
And of 3our skyn I sail mak mittennis twa.’
He lap full lichtlie about him quhair he lay,
And all the trace he trippit on his tais ;
As he had hard ane pyper play, he gais.
‘Heir Lyis the Deuill,’ quod he, ‘deid in ane dyke. 2055
Sic ane selcouth saw I not this seuin 3eir ;
I trow 3e haif bene tussillit with sum tyke,
That garris 30W ly sa still withouttin steir :
Schir Foxe, in Faith, 3e ar deir welcum heir ;
It is sum wyfis malisone, I trow, 2060
For pultrie pyking, that lychtit hes on 30W.
* Thair sail na Pedder, for purs, nor 3U for gluifis,
Nor 3it for poyntis pyke 3our pellet fra me ;
I sail of it mak mittennis to my luifis,
Till hald my handis hait quhair euer I be ; 2065
Till Flanderis sail it neuer saill the se/
With that in hy, he hint him be the heillis,
And with ane swak he swang him on the creillis.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE FOX, THE WOLF, AND THE CADGER.
153
[harleian
With that he kest ane compas far about,
And strawcht him doun in middis of the way,
As he wer deid he fein^eit him, but dout,
And than vpoun lenth vnliklie lay ; 2045
The quhite he tumit vp of his ene tway ;
His toung out hang ane hand braid of his heid,
And still he lay, als straucht as he wer deid.
The cadgear fand the fox, and he was fane,
F. 54 a. And till him self this softlie can he say : 2050
* At the nixt bait, in faith, ^e salbe flane,
And of }our skin I sail mak mittenis tway/
He lap about lichtlie quhair he lay,
And all the trace he trippit on his tais ;
As he [had l ] hard ane pyper play, he gais. 2055
‘ Heir lyis,’ quod he, 4 the deuill deid in a dyke.
Sic ane selcouth saw I not this sevin $eir ;
I trow 3e haif bene tussillit with sum tyke,
That garris 30W ly sa still withoutin steir :
Schir foxe, in faith, ^e ar deir welcum heir; 2060
It is sum wyfis malisoun, I trow,
For pultrie pyking, that lichtit hes on 30W.
* Thair sail na pedder, for purs, nor [$it] for glufis,
Nor }it for pointis pyke $our pellet fra me ;
I sail of it mak mittenis to my lufis, 2065
Till hald my handis hait quhair euer I be ;
Till flanderis sail it neuer saill the se/
With that in hy, he hint him be the heillis,
And with ane swak he swang him on the creillis.
1 See p. 1 52.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE FABLES.
1 54
CHARTERIS]
Syne be the heid the hors in hy hes hint ;
The fraudfull Foxe thairto gude tent hes tane,
And with his teith the stoppell, or he stint,
Pullit out, and syne the hering ane and ane
Out of the creillis he swakkit doun gude wane.
The Uolf wes war, and gadderit spedilie ;
The Cadgear sang, ‘ huntis vp, vp, vpoun hie/
3it at ane burne the Cadgear luikit about ;
With that the Foxe lap quyte the creillis fra ;
The Cadgear wald haif raucht the Foxe ane- rout,
Bot all for nocht, he wan his hoill that day.
Than with ane schout thus can the Cadgear say : 1
‘ Abyde, and thow ane Nekhering sail haif,
Is worth my Capill, Creillis, and all the laif/
‘ Now,’ quod the Foxe, ‘ I schrew me, and we meit :
I hard quhat thow hecht to do with my skyn.
Thy hands sail neuer in thay mittennis tak heit,
And thow war hangit, Carll, and all thy kyn !
Do furth thy mercat j at me thow sail nocht wyn ;
And sell thy hering thow hes thair till hie price,
Ellis thow sail wyn nocht on thy merchandice.’
The Cadgear trimillit for teyne quhair that he stude ;
* It is weill worthie,’ quod he, ‘ I want 3one tyke,
That had not in my hand sa mekill gude,
As staf, or sting, 3one truker for to stryke/
With that lychtlie he lap outouer ane dyke,
And snakkit doun ane staf, for he wes tene,
That heuie wes and of the Holyne grene.
1 In the original 11 . 2079 and 2080 are transposed.
Digitized by
Google
2070
2075
2080
2085
2090
2095
THE FOX, THE WOLF, AND THE CADGER. 155
[harleian
Syne be the heid the horft in hy hes hint ; 2070
The fraudfull foxe thairto guid tent hes tane,
And with his teith the stoppell, or he stint,
. 54 <*. Pullit out, and syne the hering ane and ane
Out of the creillis he swakkit doun gude wane.
The wolf was war, and gadderit spedilie ; 2075
The cadgear sang, * huntis vp, vp, vpoun hie/
3it at ane burne the cadgear luikit about ;
With that the foxe lap quite the creillis fray ;
The cadgear wald haif raucht the foxe ane rout,
Bot all for nocht, he wan his hoill that day. 2080
Than with ane schout thus can the cadgear say :
‘ Abyde, and thow ane nekhering sail haif,
Is worth my capill, creillis, and all the laif/
‘ Now/ quod the foxe, * I schrew me, and we meit :
I hard quhat thow hecht to do wft^ my skin. 2085
Thy handis sail neuer in thay mittenis tak heit,
And thow war hangit, carle, and all thy kin !
Do furth thy marcat ; at me thow sail not win ;
And sell thy hering thow hes thair till hie price,
Ellis thow sail win nocht on thy marchandice/ 2090
The cadgear trimmillit for teyne quhair that he stuid ;
‘ It is weill worthie/ quod he, ‘ I want }one tyke,
That had not in my hand sa mekte gude,
As staf, or sting, 3011 e truker for to strike/
With that lichtlie he lap out ouer ane dyke, 2095
55 a . And hakkit doun ane staf, for he was tene,
That heuie was and of the holyne grene.
Digitized by L^ooQle
156
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
With that the Foxe vnto the Uolf couth wend,
And fand him be the hering, quhair he lyis ;
* Schir/ said he than, 4 maid I not fair defend ?
Ane wicht man wantit neuer, and he wer wyis ; 2100
Ane hardie hart is hard for to suppryis/
Than said the Uolf : 4 thow art ane Berne full bald,
And wyse at will, in gude tyme be it tald.
* Bot quhat wes 3one the Carll cryit on hie,
And schuke his heid, quhen that he saw thow fell ? y 2105
4 Schir/ said the Foxe, 4 that I can tell trewlie ;
He said the Nekhering wes in till the creill/
4 Kennis thow that hering ? ’ 4 3e, Schir, I ken it weill,
And at the creill mouth I had it thryis but dout ;
The wecht thair of neir tit my tuskis out. 2110
c 4 Now, suithlie, Schir, micht we that hering fa«g,
It wald be fische to vs thir fourtie dayis/
Than said the Uolf, 4 now God nor that I hang,
Bot to be thair, I wald gif all my clais,
To se gif that my wappinnis mycht it rais/ 2115
4 Schir/ said the Foxe, 4 God wait, I wischit 30W oft,
Quhen that my pith micht not beir it on loft.
4 It is ane syde of Salmond, as it wer,
And callour, pypand like ane Pertrik Ee ;
It is worth all the hering 3e haif thair, 2120
3e, and we had it swa, it is 1 worth sic dire.’
4 Than/ said the Uolf, 4 quhat counsell geuis thow me ? *
4 Schir/ said the Foxe, 4 wirk efter my deuyis,
And 3 e sail haif it, and tak 30W na suppryis.
1 Orig. ‘is it/
Digitized by
Google
THE FOX, THE WOLF, AND THE CADGER.
157
[harleian
With that the fox vnto the wolf culd wend,
And fand him be the hering, quhair he lyis ;
‘Schir/ said he than, ‘maid I not fair defend? 2100
Ane wicht man wantit neuer, and he war wyse ;
Ane hardie hart is hard for to suppryis.’
Than said the wolf : ‘ thow art ane berne full bald,
And wyse at will, in gude tyme be it tald.
‘ Bot quhat was 3one the carle cry it on hie, 2105
And schuik his hand, quod he, hes thow na feill ? 9
‘ Schir/ said the foxe, ‘ that I can tell trewlie ;
He said the nekhering was in the creiH'
‘ Kennis thow that hering ? 9 ‘ $e, schir, I ken it weill,
And at the creill mouth I had it thryis but dou[t ] 1 ; 2110
The wecht thair of neir tit my tuskis out.
‘ Now, surelie, schir, mycht we that hering fang,
It wald be fische to ws thir fourtie dayis.*
Than said the wolf, ‘ now god nor that I hang,
Bot to be thair, I wald gif all my clays, 2115
To se gif that my wappywnis micht it rais/
‘ Schir/ said the foxe, ‘ god wait, I wischit 30W oft,
Quhen that my teith micht not beir it on loft.
F. 5s b. ‘ It is ane side of salmond, as it wair,
And callour, pypand like ane pertrik ee ; 2120
It is worth all the hering $e haif thair,
3e, and we had it swa, it is 2 worth sic thre.
‘Than/ said the wolf, ‘quhat counsale geuis thow me?’
‘Schir/ said the foxe, ‘wirk efter my deuyis,
And $e sail haif it, and tak 30 w na suppryis. 2125
1 The t has been cut off by the binder. 2 MS. * is it.*
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE FABLES.
158
CHARTERIS]
* First, 3e man cast ane cumpas far about, 2125
Syne straucht 30W doun in middis of the way ;
Baith heid, and feit, and taill 3e man streik out,
Hing furth 3our toung, & clois weill 3our Ene tway ;
Syne se 3our heid on ane hard place 3e lay ;
And dout not for na perrell may appeir, 2130
Bot hald 30 w clois quhez* Mat the Carll cum mis neir.
* And thocht 3e se ane staf, haif 3e na dout,
Bot hald 30W wonder still in to that steid ;
And luke 3our Ene be clois, as thay wer out,
And se that 3e schrink nouther fute nor heid : 21 35
Than will the Cadgear Carll trow 3e be deid,
And in till haist will hint 30W be the heillis,
As he did me, and swak 30W on his creillis. ,
C ‘Now/ quod the Uolf, ‘I sweir the be my thrift,
I trow 3one Cadgear Carlle dow not me heir/ 2140
* Sctiir/ said the Foxe, ‘ on loft he will 30W lift,
Upoun his creillis, and do him lytill deir.
Bot ane thing dar I suithlie to 30W sweir,
Get 3e that hering sicker in sum place,
3 e sail not fair in fisching mair quhill Pasche. 2145
‘ I sail say In principio vpon 30W,
And croce 3our corps from the top to ta ;
Wend quhen 3e will, I dar be warrand now
That 3e sail de na suddan deith this day/
With that the Uolf gird vp sone and to ga, 2150
And caist ane cumpas about the Cadgear far ;
Syne straucht him in the gait, or he come nair.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE FOX, THE WOLF, AND THE CADGER.
159
[harleian
‘ First, mon cast ane compas far about,
Syne straucht 30W doun in middis of the way ;
Baith heid, and feit, and taill }e man streik out,
Hing furth ^our toung, and clois weill }our ene tway ;
Syne se ^our heid on ane hard place }e lay ; 2130
And dout not for na perrell may appeir,
Bot hald 30W clois quhen that the carle cu*»mis neir.
‘And thocht $e se ane staf, haif ^e na dout,
Bot hald 30W winder still in to that steid ;
And luik $our ene be clois, as thay war out, 2135
And se that $e schrink nouther fute nor heid :
Than will the cadgear carle trow ^e be deid,
And in till haist will hint 30W be the heillis,
As he did me, and swak 30W on his creillis. ,
‘Now,’ quod the wolf, ‘ I sweir the be my thrift, 2140
F. 56 a. I trow }one cadger carle he will me heir/ 1
‘ Schir/ said the foxe, ‘ on loft he will 30W lift,
Vpoun his creillis, and do him litill deir.
Bot ane thing dar I surelie to 30W sweir,
Get }e that hering sicker in sum place, 2145
3e sail not fair in fisching mair quhill pasche.
‘ I sail say In prtnctpto vpoun $ow,
And cros ^our corpis frome the top to tay ;
Wend quhen }e will, I dar be warrand now
That ^e sail die na suddane deith this day/ 2150
With that the wolf gird vp sone and to gay,
And kest ane compas about the cadger far ;
Syne raucht him in the gait, or he come nar.
1 See the better reading on p. 158.
Digitized by L^ooQle
160 THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
He laid his halfheid sicker hard and sad,
Syne straucht his four feit fra him, and his heid,
And hang his toung furth as the Foxe him bad ;
Als still he lay, as he wer verray deid,
Rakkand na thing of the Carllis fauour nor feid,
Bot euer vpon the Nekhering he thinkis,
And quyte for3etts the Foxe and all his wrinkis.
With that the Cadgear, als wraith as ony wind,
Come rydand on the laid, for it wes licht,
Thinkand ay on the Foxe that wes behind,
Upon quhat wyse reuenge him best he micht ;
And at the last of the Uolf gat ane sicht,
Quhair he in lenth lay streikit in the gait ;
Bot gif he lichtit doun, or nocht, God wait !
C 4 SoftHe,* he said, 4 1 wes begylit anis ;
Be I begylit twyis, I schrew vs baith,
That euill bot it sail licht vpon thy banis,
He suld haif had that hes done me the skaith.’
On hicht he houit the stalf, for he wes wraith,
And hit him with sic will vpon the heid,
Quhill neir he swonit and swelt in to that steid.
Thre battis he buir, or he his feit mycht find,
Bot ^it the Uolf wes wicht, and wan away.
He micht not se, he wes sa verray blind,
Nor wit reddilie quhether it wes nicht or day.
The Foxe beheld that seruice quhair he lay,
And leuch on loft, quhen he the Uolf sa seis,
Baith deif and dosinnit, fall swonand on his kneis.
Digitized by
Google
2I 55
2160
2l6S
2170
2175
2180
THE FOX, THE WOLF, AND THE CADGER. l6l
[harleian
He laid his halfheid sicker hard and sad,
Syne straucht his foure feit fra him, and his heid, 2155
And hang his toung furth as the foxe him bad ;
Als still he lay, as he war verray deid,
Rakkand na thing of the carlis fauour nor feid,
Bot euer vpoun the nekhering he thinkis,
And quite for^etis the foxe and all his wrinkis. 2160
With that J>e cadger, wauering as the wind,
Come rydand on the laid, for it was licht,
F. 56 b. Thinkand ay on the foxe that was behind,
Vpoun quhat wyse reuengit on him he micht ;
And at the last of the wolf gat ane sicht, 2165
Quhair he in lenth lay streikit in the gait ;
Bot gif he lichtit doun, or not, god wait !
4 Softlie,* he said, 4 1 was begilit anis ;
Be I begilit twyis, I schrew ws baith,
That euill bot it sail licht vpoun thy banis, 2170
He suld haif had that hes done me the skaith.’
On hicht he houit the stalf, for he was wraith,
And hit him w/t h sic will vpoun the heid,
Quhill neir he swonit and swalt in to that steid.
Thre battis he buir, or he his feit micht find, 2175
Bot ^it the wolf was wicht, and wan away.
He micht not se, he wes sa verray blind,
Nor wit reddilie quhether it wes nicht or day.
The foxe beheld that seruice quhair he lay,
And leuch on loft, quhen he the wolf sa seis, 2180
Baith deif and dosinnit, fall swounand on his kneis.
VOL. 11. l
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE FABLES.
162
CHARTERIS]
He that of ressoun can not be content,
Bot couetis all, is abill all to tyne.
The Foxe, quhen that he saw the Uolf wes schent,
Said to him self, ‘ thir hering sail be myne ; ’
I le, or ellis he wes efterwart fyne
That fand sic wayis his maister for to greif :
With all the fische thus Lowrence tuk his Leif.
C The Uolf wes neir weill dungin to the deid,
That vneis with his lyfe away he wan,
For with the Bastoun weill brokin wes his heid.
The Foxe in to his den sone drew him than,
That had betraisit his Maister and the man :
The ane wantit the hering of his creillis,
The vtheris blude wes rynnand ouer his heillis.
;
Moralitas.
THIS Taill is myngit with Moralitie,
As I sail schaw sumquhat, or that I ceis :
The Foxe vnto the warld may likkinnit be,
The reuand Uolf vnto ane man but leis,
The Cadgear Deith, quhome vnder all man preis :
That euer tuke lyfe throw cours of kynd man dee,
As man, and beist, and fische in to the see.
C The warld, 3e wait, is Stewart to the man,
Quhilk may mak man to haif na mynd of Deid,
Bot settis for winning all the craftis thay can ;
The Hering I likkin vnto the gold sa reid,
Quhilk gart the Uolf in perrell put his heid :
Richt swa the gold garris land, certeis, 1
With weir be waistit, daylie as men seis.
1 See the better reading on p. 163.
Digitized by
Google
2185
2190
219s
2200
2205
THE FOX, THE WOLF, AND THE CADGER. 163
[harleian
He that of ressoun can not be content,
Bot couetis all, is abill all to tyne.
The foxe, quhen that he saw the wolf wes schent,
Said to him selff, ‘ thir hering salbe myne ; ’ 2185
F. 57 a . I le, or ellis he was efterwart fyne
That fand sic wayis his maister for to greif :
With all the fische thus lowrence tuik his leif.
The wolf was neir weill dungin to the deid,
That vneith with his lyfe away he wan, 2190
For with the bastoun weill brokin wes his heid.
The foxe in to his den sone drew him than,
That had betraisit his maister and the man :
The ane wantit the hering of his creillis,
The vtheris blude was rywnand ouer his heillis. 2195
AoraUtas*
XCbiB taill is mingit with moralitie,
As I sail schaw sum quhat, or that I ceis :
The foxe vnto the warld may likkinnit be,
The reuand wolf vnto ane man but leis,
The cadger deith, quhome vnder all men preis : 2200
That euer tuik lyfe throw cours of kynd man die,
As man, and beist, and fische in to the see.
The warld, wait, is Stewart to the man,
Quhilk makis man to haif na mynd of deid,
Bot settis for wy«ning all the craft thay can ; 2205
The hering I likkin vnto the gold sa reid,
Quhilk gart the wolf in perrell put his heid :
Richt swa the gold garris landis and cieteis
F. 57 b. With weir be waistit, daylie as men seis.
Digitized by
Google
164
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
And as the Foxe with dissimulance and gyle
Gart the Uolf wene to haif worschip for euer, 2210
Richt swa this warld with vane glore for ane quhyle
Flattens with folk, as thay suld failge neuer,
3it suddandlie men seis it oft disseuer ;
With thame that trowis oft to fill the sek,
Deith cummis behind and nippis thame be the nek. 2215
The micht of gold makis mony men sa blind,
That settis on Auarice thair felicitie,
That thay for3et the Cadgear cummis behind
To strike thame, of quhat stait sa euer thay be.
Quhat is mair dirk than blind prosperitie? 2220
Quhairfoir I counsell mychtie men to haif mynd
Of the Nekhering, Interpreit in this kynd.
C Finis.
C THE TAILL OF THE FOXE THAT BEGYLIT
THE UOLF IN THE SCHADOW OF THE
MOAflE.
I N ELDERIS dayis, as Esope can declair,
Thair wes ane Husband, quhilk had ane pleuch to steir.
His vse wes ay in morning to Ryse air ; 2225
Sa happinnit him in streiking tyme of 3eir
Airlie in the morning to follow furth his feir,
Unto the pleuch, bot his gadman and he ;
His stottis he straucht with ‘ Benedicite.’
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE FOX, THE WOLF, AND THE HUSBANDMAN. l 6 $
[harleian
And as the foxe with dissimulance and gile 2210
Gart the wolf wene to haif worschip for euer,
Richt swa this warld with vane gloir for ane quhile
Flattens with folk, as thay suld faille neuer,
3it suddandlie men seis it oft disseuer ;
With thame that trowis oft to fill the sek, 2215
Deith cu/0mis behind and nippis thame be the nek.
The micht of gold makis mony men [sa x ] blind,
That settis on auerice thair felicitie,
That thay forget the cadger cuwmis behind
To stryke thame, of quhat stait so euer thay be. 2220
Quhat is mair dirk than blind prosperitie ?
Quhairfoir I counsall michtie men to haif mynd
Of the nekhering, interpreit in this kynd.
JFtnfg.
f. S 8 - Cbe talll of tbe foye that beoiltt
tbe wolf In tbe scbabow of tbe mone.
Tf tt Cl&CttB dayis, as esope can declair, 2224
^ Thair wes ane husband, quhilk had ane pleuch to steir.
His vse wes ay in morning to ryis air ;
Swa happynnit him in streiking tyme of ^eir
Airlie in the morning to follow furth his feir,
Vnto the pleuch, bot his gadman and he ;
His stottis he straucht with ‘ benedicite.’ 2230
1 See p. 164.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
The Caller cryit : ‘how, haik vpon hicht ; 2230
Hald draucht, my dowis ; * syne broddit thame full sair.
The Oxin wes vnwsit, 3oung, and licht,
And for fersnes thay couth the fur forfair. 1
The Husband than woxe angrie as ane hair,
Syne cryit, and caist his Patill and greit stanis : 2 2 35
‘The Uolf/ quod he, ‘ mot haif 30W all at anis/
Bot 3ft the Uolf wes neirar nor he wend,
For in ane busk he lay, and Lowrence baith,
In ane Rouch Rone, wes at the furris end,
And hard the hecht ; than Lowrence leuch full raith : 2240
‘To tak 3one bud/ quod he, ‘it wer na skaith/
‘Weill/ quod the Uolf, ‘ I hecht the be my hand ;
3 one Carllis word, as he wer king, sail stand/
The oxin eirit mair reullie at the last ;
Syne efter thay lousit, fra that it worthit weill lait; 22 45
The Husband hamewart with his cattell past.
Than sone the Uolf come hirpilland in his gait,
Befoir the Oxin, and schupe to mak debait.
The Husband saw him, and worthit sumdeill agast,
And bakwart with his beistis wald haif past. 2 2 50
The Uolf said, ‘ quhether dryuis thow this, Pray ?
I challenge it, for nane of thame ar thyne/
The man thairof wes in ane felloun fray,
And soberlie to the Uolf answerit syne :
‘ Schir, be my Saull, thir oxin ar all myne ; 2 2 5 5
Thairfoir I studie quhy 3e suld stop me,
Sen that I faltit neuer to 30 w, trewlie.’
1 Hart, ‘forfraire.*
Digitized by DOQle
THE FOX, THE WOLF, AND THE HUSBANDMAN. 1 67
[harleian
The caller cryit : ‘ how, haik vpoun hicht ;
Hald draucht, my dowis ; 9 syne broddit thame full sair.
The oxin wes vnwsit, ^oung, and licht,
And for fersnes thay couth the fur forfair.
The husband than woxe angrie as ane hair, 2235
Syne cryit, and caist his patill and grit stanis :
‘ The wolf/ quod he, ‘ mot haif 30W all at anis/
Bot $it the wolf was neirar nor he wend,
For in ane busk he lay, and lowrence baith,
In ane ruch rone, was at the furris end, 2240
And hard the hecht ; than lowrence leuch full raith :
‘To tak $one bud/ quod he, ‘it war na skaith/
‘ Weill/ quod the wolf, ‘ I hecht the be my hand ;
3one carlis word, as he war king, sail stand/
F. 58 d. The oxin waxit mair reulie at the last ; 2245
Syne efter thay lousit, fra that it worthit weill lait ;
The husband hamewart with his cattell past.
Than sone the wolf come hirpilland in his gait,
Befoir the oxin, and schupe to mak debait.
The husband saw him, and worthit sum deill agast, 2250
And bakwart with his beistis wald haif past.
The wolf said, ‘ quhether dryuis thow this, pray ?
I chalenge it, for nane of thame ar thine/
The man thairof was in ane felloun fray,
And soberlie to the wolf answerit syne : 2255
‘ Schir, be my saule, thir oxin ar all myne ;
Thairfoir I studdie quhy }e suld stop me,
Sen that I faltit neuer to 30W, trewlie/
Digitized by L^ooQle
?68
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
The Uolf said, 4 Carle, gaif thow not me this drift
Airlie, quhen thow wes eirand on 3one bank ?
And is thair oucht, sayis thow, frear than gift ?
This tarying will tyne the all thy thank ;
Far better is frelie for to gif ane plank
Nor be compellit on force to gif ane mark.
Fy on the fredome that cummis not with hart ! *
4 Schir,* quod the husband, 4 ane ma n may say in greif,
And syne ganesay, fra he auise and se :
I hecht to steill, am I thairfoir ane theft?*
* God forbid, Schir, all hechtis suld haldin be ! *
4 Gaif I my hand or oblissing ? * quod he,
4 Or haif 3e witnes or writ for to schaw ?
Schir, reif me not, but go and seik the Law.*
4 Carll,* quod the Uolf, 4 ane Lord, and he be leill,
That schrinkis for schame, or doutis to be reprufit,
His saw is ay als sickker as his Seill.
Fy on the Leid that is not leill and lufit !
Thy argument is fals, and eik contrufit,
For it is said in Prouerb : 44 But lawte
All vther vertewis ar nocht worth ane fie.” *
4 Schir,* said the husband, 4 remember of this thing :
Ane 1 leill man is not tane at half ane taill.
I may say, and ganesay, I am na King :
Quhair is 3our witnes that hard I hecht thame haill ? *
Than said the Uolf, 4 thairfoir it sail nocht faill ;
Lowrence,* quod he, 4 cum hidder of that Schaw,
And say na thing bot as thow hard and saw.*
1 Orig. * And. *
Digitized by
Google
2260
2265
2270
2275
2280
2285
THE FOX, THE WOLF, AND THE HUSBANDMAN. 1 69
[harleian
The wolf said, 4 carle, gaif thow not me this drift
Airlie, quhen thow wes eirrand on pne bank? 2260
And is thair oucht, sayis thow, frear than gift ?
This tarying will tyne the all thy thank ;
For better is frelie for to gif ane plank
Nor be compellit on force to gif ane mart.
Fy on the fredome that cuwmis not with hart ! 1 2265
4 Schir/ quod the husband, 4 ane man may say in greif,
. 59 a. And syne gane say, fra he auise and se :
I hecht to steill, am I thairfoir ane theif ? *
4 God forbid, schir, all hechtis suld haldin be ! ’
4 Gaif I my hand or oblissing ? 9 quod he, 2270
4 Or haif ^e writ or witnes for to schaw ?
Schir, reif me not, but go and seik the law.’
4 Carle/ quod the wolf, 4 ane lord, and he be leill,
That schrinkis for schame, or doutis to be repruuit,
His saw is ay als sickker as his seill. 2 2 75
Fy on the leid that is not leill and luifit !
Thy argument is fals, and eik contrufit,
For it is said in prouerb : 44 but lawte
All vther vertewis ar not worth ane fle.”’
4 Schir/ said the husband, 4 remember of this thing : 2280
Ane 1 leill man is not tane at half ane taill.
I may say, and ganesay, I am na king :
Quhair is $our witnes that hard I hecht thaw* haifll] 1 ? 9
Than said the wolf, 4 thairfoir it sail not faill ;
Lowrence/ quod he, 4 cum hidder of that schaw, 2285
And say na thing bot as thow hard and saw.'
1 Clipped by the binder.
Digitized by L^ooQle
170
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
C Lowrence come lourand, for he lufit neuer licht,
And sone appeirit befoir thame in that place :
The man leuch na thing, quhen he saw that sicht.
4 Lowre«ce/ quod the Uolf, 4 thow man declair /yfcis cace,
Quhairof we sail schaw the suith in schort space ; 2290
I callit on the leill witnes for to beir :
Quhat hard thow that this man hecht me lang eir ? ’
4 Schir,’ said the Tod, 4 1 can not hastelie
Swa sone as now gif sentence finall ;
Bot wald 3e baith submit 30W heir to me, 2295
To stand at my decreit perpetuall,
To pleis baith I suld preif, gif it may fall.*
4 Weill/ quod the Uolf, 4 1 am content for me : ’
The man said, 4 swa am I, how euer it be/
Than schew thay furth thair allegeance but fabill, 2300
And baith proponit thair pley to him compleit.
Quod Lowrence : 4 now I am ane luge amycabill :
3e sail be sworne to stand at my decreit,
Quhether heirefter 3e think it soure or sweit/
The Uolf braid furth his fute, the man his hand, 2 305
And on the Toddis Taill sworne thay ar to stand.
Than tuke the Tod the man furth till ane syde,
And said him : 4 freind, thow art in blunder brocht ;
The Uolf will not forgif the ane Oxe hyde,
3it wald my self fane help the, and I mocht; 2310
Bot I am laith to hurt my conscience ocht.
Tyne not thy querell in thy awin defence ;
This will not throw, but greit coist and expence.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE FOX, THE WOLF, AND THE HUSBANDMAN. 171
[harleian
Lowrence come lowrand, for he luifit neuer licht,
And sons appeirit befoir thame in that place :
F. 59 b. The man lewch na thing, quhen he saw that sicht. 2289
‘ Lawrence/ quod the wolf, * thow man declair this cace,
Quhairof we sail schaw the suith in schort space ;
I callit on the leill witnes for to beir :
Quhat hard thow that this man hecht me lang eir?*
‘ Schir/ said the tod, * I can not hastelie
Swa sone as now gif sentence finall ; 2295
Bot wald baith submit 30W heir to me,
To stand at my decreit perpetuall,
To pleis baith I suld preif, gif it may fall/
‘Weill/ quod the wolf, ‘ I am content for me : *
The man said, ‘ swa am I, how euer it be/ 2300
Than schew thay furth thair allegeance but fabill,
And baith proponit thair pley to him compleit.
Quod lowrence : ‘ now I am iuge amicable :
3e salbe swome to stand at my decreit,
Quhether heirefter $e think it soure or sweit/ 2305
The wolf braid furth his fute, the man his hand,
And on the toddis taill swome thay ar to stand.
Than tuik the tod the man furth to ane side,
And said him : ‘ freind, thow art in blunder brocht ;
The wolf will not forgif the ane ox hide, 2310
F. 60 a. 3 it wald my self fane help the, and I mocht ;
Bot I am laith to hurt my conscience ocht.
Tyne not thy quarell in thy awin defence ;
This will not throw, but grit coist and expence.
Digitized by
Google
172
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
C ‘ Seis thow not Buddis beiris Bernis throw,
And giftis garris crukit materis hald full euin ?
Sumtymis ane nedill haldis ane man in ane Kow.
All ar not halie that heifis thair handis to heuin.*
‘ Schir,’ said the man, * 3e sail haif sex or seuin,
Richt of the fattest hennis of all the floik :
I compt not all the laif, leif me the Coik.
‘ I am ane luge,' quod Lowrence than, and leuch ;
t Thair is na Buddis suld beir me by the rycht ;
I may tak hennis and Caponis weill aneuch,
For God is gane to sleip ; as for this nycht,
Sic small thingis ar not sene in to his sycht ;
Thir hennis, * quod he, * sail mak thy querrell sure,
With emptie hand na man suld Halkis lure.’
Concord in this, than Lowrence tuke his leif,
And to the Uolf he went in to ane ling ;
Syne priuelie he plukkit him be the sleif :
‘Is this in emist,’ quod he, ‘3e ask sic thing?
Na, be my Saull, I trow it be in hething.*
Than said the Uolf : * Lowrence, quhy sayis thow sa ?
Thow hard the hecht thy self that he couth ma.’
‘ The hecht, ’ quod he, ‘ 3one man maid at the pleuch,
Is that the cause quhy 3e the cattell craif?’
Half in to heithing, said Lowrence than, and leuch ;
‘ Schir, be the Rude, vnroikkit now 3e raif ;
The Deuill ane stirk taill thairfoir sail 3e haif ;
Wald I tak it vpon my conscience
To do sa pure ane man as 3one offence ?
Digitized by
Google
231s
2320
2325
233 °
2335
2340
THE FOX, THE WOLF, AND THE HUSBANDMAN. 1 73
[harleian
c Seis thow not buddis beris bernis throw, 2315
And giftis garris cruikit materis hald full evin ?
Sum tymes ane hen haldis ane man in ane kow.
All ar not halie that heifis thair handis to heuin. >
‘ Schir/ said the man, * $e sail haif sex or sevin,
Richt of the fattest hennis of all the flok : 2320
I compt not all the laif, leif me the cok/
* I am ane iuge/ quod lawrence than, and leuch ;
c Thair is na buddis suld beir me by the richt ;
I may tak hennis and caponis weill aneuch,
For god is gane to sleip ; as for this nicht, 2325
Sic small thingis ar not sene in to his sicht ;
Thir hennis/ quod he, 4 sail mak thy quarell sure,
Witk emptie hand na man suld halkis lure.’
Concordit thus, than lawrence tuik his leiff,
And to the wolff he went in to ane ling ; 2330
Syne preuelie he plukkit him be the sleiff :
. 60 b. ‘Is this/ quod he, * in eirnist $e ask sic thing ?
Na, be my saule, I trow it be in heithing/
Than said the wolff : 4 lowrence, quhy sayis thow sa ?
Thow hard the hecht thy self that he couth ma/ 2335
* The hecht/ quod he, * $one man maid at the pleucfc,
Is that the caus quhy ^e the cattell craif ? ’
Half in to heithing, said lowrence than, and leuch ;
* Schir, be the rude, vnrokkit now $e raif ;
The deuill ane stirk taill thairfoir sail $e haif ; 2340
Wald I tak it vpoun my conscience
To do sa pure ane man as $one offence ?
Digitized by L^ooQle
174
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
C ‘ haif I communit with the Carll/ quod he ;
‘ We ar concordit vpon this cunnand :
Quyte of all clamis, swa will mak him fre,
3 e sail ane Cabok haif in to 30m* hand, 2 345
That sic ane sail not be in all this land ;
For it is Somer Cheis, baith fresche and fair ;
He sayis it weyis ane stane and sumdeill mair/
1 Is that thy counsell, * quod the Uolf, * I do,
That 3one Carll for ane Cabok suld be fre ? ’ 2 350
* 3 e, be my Saull, and I wer sworne 30W to,
3e suld nane vther counsell haif for me ;
For gang 3e to the maist extremitie,
It will not wyn 30W worth ane widderit neip ;
Schir, trow 3e nocht, I haif ane Saull to keip ! ’ 2 355
‘Weill/ quod the Uolf, ‘it is aganis my will
That 3one Carll for ane Cabok suld ga quyte/
‘Schir/ quod the Tod, ‘3e tak it in nane euill,
For, be my Saull, 3our self had all the wyte/
‘Than/ said the Uolf, ‘I bid na mair to flyte, 2360
Bot I wald se 3one Cabok of sic pryis/
‘Schir/ said the Tod, ‘he tauld me quhar it lyis/
Than hand in hand thay held vnto ane hill ;
The Husband till his hors hes tane the way,
For he wes fane ; he schaipit from thair euill, 2365
And on his feit woke the dure quhill day.
Now will we turne vnto the vther tway.
Throw woddis waist thir Freikis on fute can fair,
Fra busk to busk, quhill neir midnycht and mair.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE FOX, THE WOLF, AND THE HUSBANDMAN. 175
[harleian
‘ 3it haif I cowmunit with the carle,’ quod he;
‘We ar concordit vpoun this cu/mand :
Quit of all clames, swa $e will mak him fre, 2345
3e sail ane cabok haif in to $our hand,
That sic ane sail not be in all this land ;
For it is somer cheis, baith fresche and fair ;
He say is it weyis ane stane and sum deill mair/
‘ Is that thy counsale, ’ quod the wolf, ‘ 1 do, 2350
That 3one carle for ane cabok suld be fre ? *
‘ 3 e, be my saule, and I war sworne 30W to,
F. 61 a . 3 e suld na vther counsall haif for me ;
For gang 3e to the maist extremitie,
It will not win 30W worth ane widderit neip ; 2355
Schir, trow }e not, I haif ane saule to keip ! ’
‘ Weill/ quod the wolf, 4 it is aganis my will
That 3one carle for ane cabok suld ga quite/
‘Schir/ quod the tod, ‘3e tak it in na euill,
For, be my saule, 3our self had all the wyte/ 2360
‘ Than/ said the wolf, ‘ I bid na mair to flyte,
Bot I wald se 3one cabok of sic pryis/
‘Schir/ said the tod, ‘he tauld me quhair it lyis/
Than hand in hand thay held vnto ane hill ;
The husband to his hors hes tane the way, 2365
For he wes fane ; he chaippit frome thair ill,
And on his feit wouke the dur quhill day.
Now will we turne vnto the vther tway.
Throw woddis waist thir freikis on fute can fair,
Fra busk to busk, quhill neir mydnicht and mair. 2370
Digitized by L^ooQle
176
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
Lowrence wes euer remembring vpon wrinkis
And subtelteis the Uolf for to begyle ;
That he had hecht ane Caboik he forthinkis,
3 it at the last he findis furth ane wyle,
Than at him self softlie couth he smyle.
The Uolf say is, ‘ Lowrence, thow play is bellie blind ;
We seik all nycht, bot na thing can we find . 7
C ‘ Schir/ said the Tod, ‘ we ar at it almaist ;
Soft 30 W ane lytill, and 3 e sail se it sone.’
Than to ane Manure place thay hyit in haist :
The nicht wes lycht, and pennyfull the Mone.
Than till ane draw wel thir Sen 3 eounV past but hone,
Quhar that twa bukkettis seuerall suithlie hang ;
As ane come vp, ane vther doun wald gang.
The schadow of the Mone schone in the well.
‘ Schir/ said Lowrence, ‘ anis 3 e sail find me leill ;
Now se 3 e not the Caboik weill 3 our sell,
Quhyte as ane Neip, and round 1 als as ane schell?
He hang it 3 onder, that 2 na man suld it steill :
Schir, traist 3 e weill, 3 one Caboik 3 e se hing
Micht be ane presen [t] to our Lord the King.’
‘Na/ quod the Uolf, ‘mycht I 3 one Caboik haif
On the dry land, as I it 3 onder se,
I wald quitclame the Carll of all the laif ;
His dart Oxin I compt thame not ane fie ;
3 one wer mair meit for sic ane man as me.
Lowrence/ quod he, * leip in the bukket sone,
And I sail hald the ane, quhill thow haif done/
1 Orig. ‘and als round.* 2 Orig. ‘than.*
Digitized by
Google
2370
2375
2380
2385
2390
239s
THE FOX, THE WOLF, AND THE HUSBANDMAN. 1 77
[harleian
Lowrence wes euer remembring vpoun wrinkis
And subtelteis the wolf for to begyle ;
That he had hecht ane cabok he forthinkis,
3it at the last he findis furth ane wyle,
F. 61 6 . Than at him self softlie couth he smyle. 2375
The wolf sayis, * lowrence, thow playis bellie blind ;
We seik all nycht, bot na thing can we find.*
‘ Schir/ said the tod, * we ar at it almaist ;
Soft 30W ane litill, and }e sail se it sone.’
Than to ane manure place thay hyit in haist : 2380
The nicht was licht, and penny full the mone.
Than till ane draw well thir sein^eouris past but hone,
Quhair that twa bukkettis seuerall suithlie hang ;
As ane come vp, ane vther doun wald gang.
The schadow of the mone schone in the well. 2385
‘ Schir/ said lowrence, ‘ anis }e sail find me leill ;
Now se }e not the cabok weill $our sell,
Quhite as ane neip, and round als as ane seill?
He hang it ponder, that na man suld it steill :
Schir, traist 3e weill, jone caboik }e se hing 2390
Micht be ane present to ony lord or king. 1
* Na/ quod the wolf, * micht I }one caboik haif
On the dry land, as I it ponder se,
I wald quitclame the carle of all the laif ;
His dart oxin I compt thame not ane fie ; 2395
3one war mair meit for sic ane man as me.
Lowrence/ quod he, c leip in the bukket sone,
F. 62 a. And I sail hald the ane, quhill thow haif done/
VOL. II.
M
Digitized by L^ooQle
i 7 8
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
Lowrence gird doun baith sone and subtellie ;
The vther baid abufe, and held the flaill.
‘It is sa mekill/ quod Lowrence, ‘it maisteris me, 2400
On all my tais it hes not left ane naill ;
3e man mak help vpwart, and it haill :
Leip in the vther bukket haistelie,
And cum sone doun, and make me sum supple/
C Than lychtlie in the bukket lap the loun ; 2405
His wecht but weir the vther end gart ryis ;
The Tod come hailland vp, the Uolf ^eid doun ;
Than angerlie the Uolf upon him cryis :
‘ I cuwmand thus dounwart, quhy thow vpwart hyis ? *
‘Schir,’ quod the Tod, ‘thus fairis it of fortoun : 2410
As ane cummis vp, scho quheillis ane vther doun ! *
Than to the ground sone 3eid the Uolf in haist ;
The Tod lap on land, as blyith as ony bell,
And left the Uolf in watter to the waist.
Quha haillit him out, I wait not, of the well. 2415
Heir endis the Text ; thair is na mair to tell.
3it men may find agane moralitie
In this sentence, thocht it ane Fabill be.
Moralitas.
THIS Uolf I likkin to ane wickit man,
Quhilk dois the pure oppres in euerie place, 2420
And pykis at thame all querrellis that he can,
Be Rigour, reif, and vther wickitnes.
The Foxe the Feynd I call in to this cais,
Actand 1 ilk man to ryn vnrychteous rinkis,
Thinkand thairthrow to lok him in his linkis. 2425
1 Orig. c Arcland.’
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE FOX, THE WOLF, AND THE HUSBANDMAN. 1 79
[harleian
2400
2405
Than lichtlie in the bukket lap the loun ;
His wecht but weir the vther end gart ryis ;
The tod come hailland vp, the wolf ^eid doun ;
Than angerlie the wolf upoun him cry is : 2409
‘ I cuwmand thus dounwart, quhy thow vpwart hyis ? *
* Schir,’ said the foxe, * this fair is of fortoun :
As ane cuwmis vp, scho quheillis ane vther doun ! *
Than to the ground sone ^ude the wolf in haist ;
The tod lap on land, as blyith as ony bell,
And left the wolf in watter to the waist. 2415
Quha haillit him out, I wait not, of the well.
Heir endis the text ; thair is na mair to tell.
3it men may find ane gude moralitie
In this sentence, tho^t it ane fabill be.
f. 6 a b. AoraUtas.
T£bi& wolf I likkin to ane wickit man,
Quhilk dois the pure oppres in euerie place,
And pykis at thame all quarrellis that he can,
Be rigour, reif, and vther wickitnes.
The foxe the feind I call in to this cais,
Actand ilk man to rin vnrichtious rinkis,
Thinkand thairthrow to lok him in his linkis.
2420
2425
Lowrence gird doun baith sone and subtellie ;
The vther baid abuif, and held the flaill.
‘ It is sa mekill, , quod lowrence, ‘ it maisteris me,
On all my tais it hes not left ane naill;
3 e man mak help vpwart, and it haill :
Leip in the vther bukket haistelie,
And cum sone doun, and mak me sum supplied
Digitized by L^ooQle
i8o
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
The Husband may be callit ane godlie man,
With quhome the Feynd fait findis, as Clerkis reid is,
Besie to tempt him with all wayis that he can.
The hennis ar warkis //&at fra ferme faith proceidis : 2429
Quhair sic sproutis spreidis, thz euill spreit thah not speid/V,
Bot wendis vnto the wickit man agane ;
That he hes tint his trauell is full vnfane.
C The wodd/V waist, quhair in wes the Uolf wyld,
Ar wickit riches, quhilk all men gaipis to get ;
Quha traistis in sic Trusterie ar oft begyld ; 2 43 5
For Mammon may be callit the Deuillis Net,
Quhilk Sathanas for all sinfuil hes set.
With proud plesour quha settis his traist thairin,
But speciall grace, lychtlie can not outwin.
The Cabok may be callit Couetyce, 2440
Quhilk blomis braid in mony mannis Ee ;
Ua worth the well of that wickit vyce !
For it is all bot fraud and fantasie,
Dryuand ilk man to leip in the buttrie
That dounwart drawis vnto the pane of hell. — 2 445
Christ keip all christianis frome that wickit well !
C Finis.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE FOX, THE WOLF, AND THE HUSBANDMAN. l8l
[harleian
The husband may be callit ane godlie man,
With quhome the feind faltis findes, as clerkis reidis,
Besie to tempt him mih all wayis that he can.
The hennis ar warkis that fra ferme faith proceidis : 2430
Quhair sic sproutis spreidis, the euill spreit ]>airn ot speidfis], 1
Bot wendis vnto the wickit man agane ;
That he hes tint his trauell is full vnfane.
The woddis waist, quhairin wes the wolf wyld,
Ar wickit riches, quhilk all men gaipis to get; 2435
Quha traistis in sic trustrie ar oft begyld ;
For mammon may be callit the deuillis net,
Quhilk sathanas for all sinfull hes set
With proud plesour quha settis his traist thairin,
But speciall grace, lichtlie can not outwin. 2440
The caboik may be callit couetice,
. 63 «. Quhilk blomes braid in mony ma«nis 2 ee ;
Wa worth the well of that wickit vyce !
For it is all bot fraud and fantasie,
Dryuand ilk man to leip in the buttrie 2445
That dounwart drawis vnto the pane of hell. —
Christ keip all christianis frome that wickit well !
JFmtss.
1 Clipped by the binder. 3 MS. * ma^mis.*
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE FABLES.
182
CHARTERIS]
C THE TAILL OF THE UOLF AND
THE UEDDER.
Q UHYLUM thair wes, as Esope can Report,
Ane scheiphird dwelland be an Forrest neir,
Quhilk had ane Hourcd thdX did him greit comfort ;
Full war he wes to walk his Fauld but weir, 2450
that nouther Uolf nor Uildcat durst appeir,
Nor Foxe on feild, nor 3 it na vther beist,
Bot he thame slew, or chaissit at the leist.
Sa happinnit it, as euerilk beist man de,
This Hound of suddand seiknes to be deid; 2 455
Bot than, God wait, the keipar of the fe
For verray wo woxe wanner nor the weid :
‘ Allace, ’ quod he, * now se I na remeid
To saif the selie beistis that I keip,
For wit the Uolf werryit beis all my scheip.’ 2460
C It wald haif maid ane mannis hart sair to se
The selie scheiphirdis lamentatioun :
‘ Now is my Darling deid, allace, ’ quod he ;
‘ For now to beg my breid I may be boun,
With pyikstaf and with scrip to fair of toun ; 2465
For all the beistis befoir bandonit bene
Will schute vpon my beistis with Ire and tene.’
With that ane Uedder wrechitlie wan on fute :
c Maister,’ quod he, ‘ mak merie and be blyith ;
To brek 30m hart for baill it is na bute ; 2470
For ane deid Doig 3e na cair on 30W kyith.
Ga feche him hithor, and fla his skyn of swyith ;
Syne sew it on me ; and luke that it be meit,
Baith heid, and crag, bodie, taill, and feit.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE WOLF AND THE WETHER.
183
[harleian
F.6 3 *.$be taill of tbe wolf & tbe Webber.
Ub$lUm thair wes, as esope can report,
Ane scheiphird duelland be ane forrest neir,
Quhilk had ane hound that did him grit comfort ; 2450
Full war he wes to walk his fauld but weir,
that nouther wolf nor wyld cat durst appeir,
Nor foxe on feild, nor 3k na vther beist,
Bot he thame slew, or chaissit at the leist.
Swa happynnit it, as euerie beist man de,
This hound of suddane seiknes to be deid ;
Bot than, god wait, the keipar of the fe
For verray wo woxe wanner nor the weid :
‘ Allace, * quod he, ‘ now se I na remeid
To saif the selie beistis that I keip,
For wit the wolf werryit beis all my scheip.’
It wald haif maid ane mawnis hart sair to se
The selie schiphirdis lamentatioun :
‘ Now is my darling deid, allace, ’ quod he ;
‘ For now to beg my breid I may me boun, 2465
With pykestaff and with scrip to fair of toun ;
For all the beistis before bandonit bene
Will schute vpoun my beistis w;t^ ire and tene.’
F. 64 a. With that ane wedder wretchitlie wan on fute :
‘ Maister/ quod he, ‘ mak merie and be blyith ;
To brek 30ur hart for baill it is na bute ;
For ane deid dog 3e na cair on 30W kyith.
Ga fetche him hidder, and fla his skin of swyth ;
Syne sew it on me ; and luik that it be meit,
Bodie and heid, baith taill, crag, and feit.
2470
2475
2455
2460
Digitized by L^OOQle
184
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
‘Than will the Uolf trow that I am he; 2475
For I sail follow him fast quhair euer he fair.
All haill, the cure I tak it vpon me,
3our scheip to keip at midday, lait and air.
And he persew, be God, I sail not spair
To follow him als fast as did 3our Doig, 2480
Swa that, I warrand, 3e sail not want ane hoig/
‘ Tha«/ said the scheiphird, ‘ this come of ane gude wit ;
Thy counsall is baith sikker, leill, and trew ;
Quha sayis ane scheip is daft, thay lieit of it/
With that in hy the Doggis skyn of he flew, 2485
And on the scheip rycht softlie couth it sew.
Than worth the Uedder wantoun of his weid :
‘Now of the Uolf/ quod he, ‘ I haif na dreid/
c In all thingis he counterfait the Dog ;
For all the nicht he stude and tuke na sleip, 2490
Swa that weill lang thair wantit not ane Hog.
Swa war he wes and walkryfe thame to keip,
That Lowrence durst not luke vpon ane scheip ;
For and he did, he followit him sa fast,
That of his lyfe he maid him all agast. 2495
Was nouther Uolf, Uildcat, nor 3k Tod
Durst cum within thay boundis all about,
Bot he wald chace thame baith throw rouch & snod.
Thay bailfull beistis had of thair lyuis sic dout,
For he wes mekill and semit to be stout, 2500
That euerilk beist thay dred him as the deid,
Within that woid, that nane durst hald thair heid.
Digitized by
Google
THE WOLF AND THE WETHER.
I8 S
[harleian
c Than will the wolf trow that I am he ;
For I sail follow him fast quhair euer he fair.
All haill, the cure I tak it vpoun me,
3 our scheip to keip at midday, lait and air.
And he perse w, be god, I sail not spair 2480
To follow him als fast as did $our doge,
Swa that, I warrand, $e sail not want ane hoig.’
* Than/ said the scheiphird, ‘ this come of ane gude wit ;
Thy counsall is baith sickker, leill, and trew ;
Quha sayis ane scheip is daft, thay leit of it.’ 2485
With that in hy the dogis skin of he flew,
And on the scheip richt softlie couth it sew.
Than worth the wedder wantoun of his weid :
‘ Now of the wolf/ quod he, ‘ I haif na dreid.*
In all thingis he counterfait the dog ; 2490
For all the nicht he stuid and tuik na sleip,
F. 64 b. Swa that weill lang thair wantit not ane hog.
Swa war he was and walkryfe thame to keip,
That lowrence durst not luik vpoun ane scheip ;
For and he did, he followit him sa fast, 2495
That of his lyfe he maid him all agast.
Was nouther wolf, wyldcat, nor 3k tod
Durst cum within thay boundis all about,
Bot he wald chais thame baith throw rouch and snod.
Thay bailfull beistis had of thair lyfis sic dout, 2500
For he wes mette and semit to be stout,
That euerie beist thay dred him as the deid,
Within that wod, that nane durst hald thair heid.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE FABLES.
1 86
CHARTERIS]
3it happinnit thair ane hungrie Uolf to slyde
Out throw his scheip, quhair thay lay on ane le ;
‘ I sail haif ane/ quod he, ‘ quhat euer betyde,
Thocht I be werryit, for hunger or I de ; ’
With that ane lamb in till his cluke hint he.
The laif start vp, for thay wer all agast ;
Bot god wait gif the Uedder followit fast.
Went neuer Hound mair haistelie fra the hand,
Quhen he wes rynnand maist raklie at the ra,
Nor went this Uedder baith ouer Mois and strand,
And stoppit nouther at bank, busk, nor bra ;
Bot followit ay sa ferslie on his fa,
With sic ane Drift, quhill dust and dirt ouerdraif him,
And maid ane wow to God that he suld haif him.
C With that the Uolf let out his Taill on lenth,
For he wes hungrie, and it drew neir the euin,
And schupe him for to ryn with all his strenth,
Fra he the Uedder sa neir cummand had sene.
He Dred his lyfe, and he ouertane had bene ;
Thairfoir he spairit nouther busk nor boig,
For weill he kennit the cunning 1 of the Doig.
To mak him lycht, he kest the Lamb him fra,
Syne lap ouer leis, and draif throw dub and myre.
* Na/ quod the wedder, ‘ in Faith we part not swa :
It is not the Lamb, bot the, that I desyre ;
I sail cum neir, for now I se the tyre/
The Uolf ran till ane rekill stude behind him,
Bot ay the neirar the Uedder to couth wyn him.
1 Orig. ‘cumming/
Digitized by
Google
2 5°S
2510
251S
2520
2525
2530
THE WOLF AND THE WETHER.
187
[harleian
3it happy*mit thair ane hungrie wolf to slide
Out throw his scheip, quhair thay lay on ane le; 2505
‘ I sail haif ane/ quod he, ‘ quhat euer betyde,
Thocht I be werryit, for hunger or I de ; *
With that ane lamb in to his cluke hint he.
The laif start vp, for thay war all agast ;
Bot god wait gif the wedder followit fast. 2510
Went neuer hound mair haistelie fra the hand,
Quhen he wes rynnand maist raklie at the ra,
Nor went this wedder baith ouer mois & strand,
F. 65 a. And stoppit nouther at bank, busk, nor bra ;
Bot followit ay sa ferslie on his fa, 2515
With sic ane drift, quhill dirt and dust ouer draif him,
And maid ane vow to god that he suld haif him.
With that the wolf let out his taill on lenth,
For he wes hungrie, and it drew neir the ene,
And schupe him for to rin wit/i all his strenth,
Fra he the wedder sa neir cuwand had sene.
He dred his lyfe, and he ouertane had bene ;
Thairfoir he spairit nouther busk nor boig,
For weill he kennit the kenenes of the doig.
To mak him licht, he caist the lamb him fra,
Syne lap ouer leis, and draif throw dub & myre.
‘ Na/ quod the wedder, * in faith we part not swa :
It is not the lamb, bot the, that I desire ;
I sail cum neir, for now I se the tyre/
The wolf ran still quhill ane strand stuid behind him,
Bot ay the neirar the wedder he couth bind him. 2531
2520
252S
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE FABLES.
1 88
CHARTERIS]
Sone efter that he followit him sa neir,
Quhill that the Uolf for fleidnes fylit the feild ;
Syne left the gait, and ran throw busk and breir,
And schupe him fra the schawis for to scheild.
He ran restles, for he wist of na weild ; 2 5 35
The wedder followit him baith out and in,
Quhill that ane breir busk raif rudelie of the skyn.
The Uolf wes wer, and blenkit him behind,
And saw the Uedder come thrawawd throw the breir ;
Syne saw the Doggis skyn hingand on his lind. 2540
‘ Na, J quod he, ‘ is this that is sa neir ?
Richt now ane Houwd, and now quhyte as ane Freir :
I fled ouer fer, and I had kennit the cais :
To God I wow that 3e sail rew this rais.
1 Quhat wes the cause 3e gaif me sic ane cache 1 ? * 2545
With that in hy he hint him be the home.
1 For all 30W mowis 3e met anis with 30m mache,
Suppois 3e leuch me all this 3eir to scorne.
For quhat enchessoun this Doggis skyn haif 3e borne ? *
‘Maister,’ quod he, ‘bot to haif playit with 30W; 2550
I 30 w requyre that 3e nane vther trow.’
C ‘ Is this 3our bourding in eimist than ? * quod he,
* For I am verray effeirit, and on flocht ;
Cum bak agane and I sail let 30 w se.’
Than quhair the gait wes grimmit he him brocht. 2555
‘ Quhether call 3e this fair play, or nocht ?
To set 3our Maister in sa fell effray,
Quhill he for feiritnes hes fylit vp the way.
1 Orig. ‘chace.*
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE WOLF AND THE WETHER.
189
[harleian
Sone efter that he followit him sa neir,
Quhill that the wolf for fleidnes fylit the feild ;
Syne left the gait, and ran throw busk and breir,
And schupe [him *] fra the schawis for to scheild. 2535
F. 65 b. He ran restles, for he wist of na beild ;
The wedder followit him baith out and in,
Quhill that ane breir busk raif rudlie of the skin.
The wolf was war, and blenkit him behind, 2539
And swa the wedder come thrawand throw the breir ;
Syne saw the doggis skin hingand on his lend.
‘Na/ quod he, ‘ is this }e that is sa neir?
Richt now ane hound, and now quhite as ane freir :
I fled ouer fer, and I had kennit the cais :
To god I wow that $e sail rew this rais. 2545
‘ Quhat was the caus 3e gaif me sic ane catche ? ’
With that in hy he hint him be the home.
‘For all 3our mowis }e met anis mtA jour matche,
Suppois 3e leuch me all this 3eir to scorne. 2549
For quhat enchessoun this doggis skin haif 3e borne?’
‘ Maister/ quod he, ‘ bot to haif playit wit/f 30W ;
I 30W require that 3 e na vther trow/
‘ Is this 3our bourding in eirnist than ? * quod he,
‘ For I am verray effeirit, and on flocht ;
Cum bak agane and I sail let 30W se/ 2555
Than quhair the gait was grymmit he him brocht.
‘ Quhether call 3e this fair play, or nocht ?
To set 3our maister in sa fell effray,
F. 66 a. Quhill he for feiritnes hes fylit vp the way.
1 See p. 188.
Digitized by L^ooQle
190
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
‘ Thryis, be my Saull, 3 e gart me schute behind ;
Upon my hoichis the sen3eis may be sene ;
For feiritnes full oft I fylit the wind.
Now is this 3e? na, bot ane Hound, I wene;
Me think 3our teith ouer schort to be sa kene.
Blissit be the busk that reft 30W 3 our array,
Ellis, fleand, bursin had I bene this day/
‘ Schir,’ quod the Uedder, ‘ suppois I ran in hy,
My mynd wes neuer to do 3our persoun euill ;
Ane flear gettis ane follower commounlie,
In play or ernist, preif quha sa euer will.
Sen I bot playit, be gracious me till,
And I sail gar my freindis blis 3our banis,
Ane full gude seruand will crab his Maister anis/
‘ I haif bene oftymis set in grit effray,
Bot, be the Rude, sa rad 3k wes I neuer,
As thow hes maid me with thy prettie play.
I schot behind, quhen thow ouertuke me euer,
Bot sickkerlie now sail we not disseuer.’
Than be cragbane smertlie he him tuke,
Or euer he ceissit, and it in schunder schuke.
Moralitas.
ESOPE, THAT POETE, first Father of this Fabill,
Wrait this Parabole, quhilk is conuenient,
Because the sentence wes fructuous & agreabill,
In Moralitie exemplatiue prudent ;
Quhais problemes bene verray excellent ;
Throw similitude of figuris, to this day,
Geuis doctrine to the Redaris of it ay.
Digitized by
Google
2560
2565
2570
2575
2580
2585
THE WOLF AND THE WETHER.
191
[harleian
‘Thryis, be my saule, gart me schute behind ; 2560
Vpoun my hoichis the sein^eis may be sene ;
For feiritnes full oft I fylit the wind.
Now is this }e ? na, bot ane hound, I wene ;
Me think ^our teith ouerschort to be sa kene.
Blissit be the busk that reft 30W }our array, 2565
Ellis, fleand, bursin had I bene this day/
1 Schir,* quod the wedder, * suppois I ran in hy,
My mynd wes neuer to do }our persoun euill ;
Ane flear gettis ane followare cowmounly,
In play or eimist, preif quha sa euer will. 2570
Sen I bot playit, be gratious me till,
And I sail gar my freindis blis ^owr banis,
Ane full gude seruand will crab his maister anis/
‘I haif bene oftymes set in grit effray,
Bot, be the rude, sa rad }it wes I neuer, 2575
As thow hes maid me be thy prettie play.
I schot behind, quhen thow ouertuik me euer,
Bot sickerlie now sail we not disseuer.’
Than be cragbane smertlie he him tuke,
Or euer he ceissit, and it in schunder schuik. 2580
f. 66 b. dfcoralitas.
J6S0pe t tb&t P0CtCt first father of this fabill,
Wrait this parabole, quhilk is cowuenient,
Becaus the sentence wes fructuous and agreatfle,
In moralitie examplatiue prudent ;
Quhais problemis bene verray excellent; 2585
Throw similitude of figuris, to this day,
Gifis doctrine to the reidaris of it ay.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE FABLES.
192
CHARTER IS]
Heir may thow se that riches of array
Will cause pure men presumpteous for to be ;
Thay think thay hald of nane, be thay als gay,
Bot counterfute ane Lord in all degre.
Out of thair cais in pryde th[a]y clym sa hie,
That thay forbeir thair better in na steid,
Quhill sum man tit thair heillis ouer thair heid.
Richt swa in seruice vther sum exceidis,
And thay haif withgang, welth, and cherissing,
That thay will lychtlie Lordis in [to] 1 thair deidis,
And lukis not to thair blude, nor thair ofspring :
Bot 3ft na[ne] 1 wait how lang that reull will ring ;
Bot he was wyse that bad his Sone considder :
Bewar in welth, for Hall benkis ar rycht slidder.
Thairfoir I counsell men of euerilk stait
To knaw thame self, and quhome thay suld forbeir,
And fall not with thair better in debait ;
Suppois thay be als galland in thair geir,
It settis na seruand for to vphald weir,
Nor clym so hie, quhill he fall of the ledder ;
Bot think vpon the Uolf and on the wedder !
C Finis.
1 See p. 193.
Digitized by
Google
2590
259s
2600
2605
THE WOLF AND THE WETHER.
193
[harleian
Heir may thow se that riches of array
Will caus pure men presumptuous for to be ;
Thay think thay hald of nane, be thay als gay, 2590
Bot counterfait ane lord in all degrie.
Out of thair cais in pryde thay clym so hie,
That thay forbeir thair better in na steid,
Quhill sum man tit thair heillis ouer thair heid.
Richt swa in seruice vther sum exceidis, 2595
And thay haif withgang, welth, and cherising,
That thay will lichtlie lordis in to thair deidis,
And luikis not to thair blude, nor thair ofspring :
Bot }it nane wait how lang that reull will ring ;
Bot he wes wyse that bad his sone considder : 2600
Bewar in welth, for hall benkis ar richt slidder.
Thairfoir I counsall men of euerilk stait
. 67 a . To knaw thame selff, and quhome thay suld forbeir,
And fall not with thair better in debait ;
Suppois thay be als galland in thair geir, 2605
It settis na seruand for to vphald weir,
Nor clym so hie, quhill he fall of the ledder;
Bot think vpon the wolf and on the wedder !
JRnfo.
VOL. II.
N
Digitized by L^ooQle
194
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
f THE TAIL OF THE UOLF AND
THE LAMB.
A NE cruell Uolf, richt rauenous and fell,
* Upoun ane tyme past to ane Reuer,
Descending from ane Roche vnto ane well,
To slaik his thrist, drank of the watter cleir.
Swa vpon cace ane selie Lamb come neir,
Bot of his fa, the Uolf, na thing he wist,
And in the streme laipit to cule his thrist.
This drank thay baith, bot not of ane Intent ;
The Uolfis thocht wes all of wickitnes ;
The selie Lamb wes meik and Innocent :
Upon the Reuer, in ane vther place,
Beneth the Uolf he drank ane lytill space,
Quhill he thocht gude, beleuand thair nane euill ;
The Uolf him saw, and Rampand come him till.
With gimand teith and awfull angrie luk,
Said to the Lamb : 4 thow Catiue wretchit thing,
How durst thow be sa bald to fyle and Bruk, 1
Quhar I suld drink, with thy foull slauering ?
It wer Almous the for to draw and hing,
That suld presume, with thy foull lippis wyle,
To glar my drink, and this fair watter fyle/
The selie Lamb, quaikand for verray dreid,
On kneis fell, and said : 4 Schir, with 30m leif,
Suppois I dar not say thairof 3e leid ;
Bot, be my Saull, I wait 3e can nocht preif
That I did ony thing that suld 30W greif ;
3e wait alswa that 30m: accusatioun
Fai^eis fra treuth, and contrair is to ressoun.
1 Cf. p. 299.
Digitized by
Google
2610
2615
2620
2625
2630
2635
THE WOLF AND THE LAMB.
195
[harleian
Gbe tail of tbe wolf & tbe
!Hamb.
H tte cruell wolf, richt rauenous and fell,
Vpoun ane tyme past to ane reueir, 2610
Discending frome ane rotche vnto a well,
To slaik his thrist, drank of the watter cleir.
Swa vpon cace ane selie lamb come neir,
Bot of his fa, the wolf, na thing he wist,
And in the streme laipit to cuill his thrist. 2615
F. 67 b. This drank thay baith, bot not of ane intent ;
The wolfis thocht wes all on wickitnes ;
The selie lamb wes meik and innocent :
Vpon the reueir, in ane vther place,
Beneth the wolf he drank ane litill space, 2620
Quhill he thocht guid, beleuand thair nane ill ;
The wolf him saw, and rampand come him till.
With girnand teith and awfull angrie luik,
Said to the lamb : * thow catiue wretchit thing,
How durst thow be sa bald to fyle and bruik, 1 2625
Quhair I sould drink, with thy foull slauering ?
It wer almous the for to draw and hing,
That suld presume, with thy foull lippis vyle,
To glar my drink, and this fair watter fyle. 1
The selie lamb, quaikand for verray dreid, 2630
On kneis fell, and said : * schir, with 3our leif,
Suppois I dar not say thairof $e leid ;
Bot, be my saule, I wait $e can not preif
That I did ony thing that suld 30W greif ;
3e wait alswa that $our accusatioun 2635
Faillies fra treuth, and contrair is to ressoun.
1 Cf. p. 299.
Digitized by L^OOQle
196
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
C ‘Thocht I can not, Nature will me defend,
And of the deid perfyte experience ;
All heuie thing man of the self discend ;
Bot gif sum thing on force mak resistence,
Than may the streme on na way mak ascence,
Nor ryn bakwart : I drank beneth 30W far ;
-Ergo, for me 30 m Bruke wes neuer the war.
‘ Alswa my lippis, sen that I wes ane Lamb,
Tuichit na thing that wes contagious ;
Bot soukkit milk from Pappis of my dame,
Richt Naturall, sweit, and als delitious.’
‘ Weill/ quod the Uolf, ‘ thy language Rigorous
Cummis the of kynd ; swa thy Father before
Held me at bait, baith with boist and schore.
‘ He wraithit me, and than I culd him warne
Within ane 3 eir, and I brukit my heid,
I suld be wrokkin on him, or on his barne,
For his exhorbitant and frawart pleid ;
Thow sail doutles for his deidis be deid.’
‘ Schir, it is wrang, that for the Fatheris gilt
The saikles sone suld punist be or spilt.
‘ Haif 3 e not hard quhat halie Scripture sayis,
Endytit with the mouth of God Almycht ?
Of his awin deidis ilk man sail beir the prais , 1
As pane for sin, reward for werkis rycht ;
For my trespas quhy suld my sone haif plycht?
Quha did the mis let him sustene the pane.’
‘ 3aa/ quod the Uolf, ‘ 3 k pleyis thow agane ?
1 Cf. p. 300.
Digitized by
Google
2640
2645
2650
265s
2660
THE WOLF AND THE LAMB.
197
[harleian
4 Thocht I can not, nature will me defend,
And of the deid perfite experience ;
F. 68 a . All heuie thing man of the force discend ;
Bot gif sum thing on force mak resistence, 2640
Than may the streme on na way mak ascence,
Nor rin bakwart : I drank beneth 30W far ;
fEt go t for me 3our bruik wes neuer the war.
4 Alswa my lippis, sen that I wes ane lam,
Tuichit na thing that wes contagious ; 2645
Bot sowkit milk frome pappis of my dam,
Richt naturall, sweit, and als delitious/
* Weill/ quod the wolf, 4 thy language rigorous
Cu*wmis the of kynd ; swa thy father before
Held me at bait, baith with boist and schore. 2650
4 He wraithit me, and than I culd him wame
Within ane ^eir, and I bruikit my heide,
I suld be wrokkin on him, or on his bame,
For his exhorbetand and thrawart pleid ;
Thow sail doutles for his deidis be deid/ 2655
4 Schir, it is wrang, that for the fatheris gilt
The saikles sone suld puneist be or spilt.
4 Haif ^e not hard quhat halie scriptour sayis,
Endytit wit h the word of god almicht ?
Of his awin deidis ilk man sail beir the prayis, 1 2660
As pane for sin, rewaird for werkis rycht ;
For my trespas quhy suld my sone haif plicht?
F. 68 b . Quha did the mis let him sustene the pane/
4 3aa/ quod the wolf, 4 }it pleyis thow agane ?
1 Cf. p. 300.
Digitized by L^ooQle
198
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
C ‘ I let the wit, quhen that the Father offendis,
I will chereis nane of his Successioun ;
And of his barnis I may weill tak amendis,
Unto the twentie degre descending doun.
Thy Father thocht to mak ane Strang poisoun, 1
And with his mouth into my watter spew/
‘ Schir,’ quod the Lamb, * thay twa ar nouther trew.
‘ The Law sayis, and 3e will vnderstand,
Thair suld na man, for wrang, nor violence,
His aduersar 2 punis at his awin hand,
Without proces of Law and euidence ;
Quhilk suld haif leif to mak lawfull defence,
And thairupon Summond is Peremptourlie,
For to propone, contrairie, or reply.
‘ Set me ane lauchfull Court, I sail compeir
Before the Lyoun, Lord and leill Iustice,
And, be my hand, I oblis me rycht heir,
That I sail byde ane vnsuspect Assyis.
This is the Law, this is the Instant vse ;
3e suld pretend 3 thairfoir ; ane Summondis mak
Aganis that day, to gif ressoun and tak/
‘ Na,* quod the Uolf, ‘ thow wald Intruse ressoun,
Quhar wrang and reif suld dwell in propertie.
That is ane poynt and part of fals tressoun,
For to gar reuth remane with crueltie.
Be his woundis, fals tratour, thow sail de,
For thy trespas, and for thy Fatheris als/
With that anone he hint him be the hals.
1 Orig. ‘presoun.’ Cf. pp. 1 99, 300.
2 Orig. ‘awin sair.’ 3 Cf. p. 301.
Digitized by
Google
2665
2670
2675
2680
2685
2690
THE WOLF AND THE LAMB.
199
[harleian
‘ I Let the wit, quhen that the father offendis, 2665
I will refuis 1 nane of his successioun ;
And of his bairnis I will tak amendis,
Vnto the twentie degre discending doun.
Thy father thocht to mak ane strang poysoun,
And with his mouth in my watter did spew. 1 2670
‘ Schir/ quod the lamb, ‘ thay twa ar nouther trew.
1 The law sayis, and $e will vnderstand,
Thair suld na man, for wrang, nor violence,
His aduersar puneis at his awin hand,
Without proces of law and euidence ; 2675
Quhilk suld haif leif to mak lawfull defence,
And thairupoun suwmound peremptowrlie,
For to propone, contrarie, or reply.
‘ Set me ane lauchfull court, I sail compeir
Before the lioun, lord and leill iustice, 2680
And, be my hand, I obleis me richt heir,
That I sail byde ane vnsuspect assyis.
This is the law, this is the instant gyis ;
3e suld pretend 2 thairfoir ; ane su/«moundis mak
Aganis that day, to gif reasoun and tak/ 2685
F. 69 a. ‘ Na,’ quod the wolf, ‘ thow wald intruse ressoun,
Quhair wrang and reif suld dueli in propertie.
That is ane point and pairt of fals tressoun,
For to gar reuth remane wit/i creueltie.
Be his woundis, fals tratour, thow sail die, 2690
For thy trespas, and for thy fatheris als/
With that anone he hint him be the hals.
1 See pp. 198, 300. 2 Cf. p. 301.
Digitized by L^ooQle
200
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
c The selie Lamb culd do na thing bot blait ;
Sone wes he deid ; the Uolf wald do na grace,
Syne drank his blude, and of his flesche can eit,
Quhill he wes full, and went his way on pace. 2695
Of his murther quhat sail we say, allace ?
Wes not this reuth, wes not this greit pietie,
To gar this selie Lamb but gilt thus de ?
Moralitas.
THE pure pepill this Lamb may signifie,
As Maill men, Merchandis, & all lauboureris,
Of quhome the lyfe is half ane Purgatorie,
To wyn with lautie leuing as effeiris.
The Uolf betakinnis fals extortioneris
And oppressouris of pure men, as we se,
Be violence, or craft in facultie.
C Thre kynd of Uolfis in this warld now Ring A :
The first ar fals peruerteris of the Lawis,
Quhilk vnder Poet 1 termis falset mingis,
Lettand that all wer Gospell that he schawis ;
Bot for ane bud the pure man he ouerthrawis, 2710
Smoirand the richt, garrand the wrang proceid :
Of sic Uolfis hellis fyre sail be thair meid.
O man of Law ! let be that subteltie,
With nyce gimpis, and fraudis Intricate,
And think that God in his Diuinitie 2715
The wrang, the richt of all thy werkis wait :
For prayer, price, for hie nor law estait,
Of fals querrellis se thow mak na defence ;
Hald with the rycht, hurt not thy conscience.
1 See p. 302.
2700
2705
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE WOLF AND THE LAMB.
201
[harleian
The selie lamb culd do na thing bot bleit ;
Sone wes he deid ; the wolf wald do na gracfe], 1
Syne drank his blude, and of his flesche can eit, 2695
Quhill he wes full, syne went his way a pace.
Of his murthour quhat sail we say, allace ?
Wes not this reuth, wes not this grit pietie,
To gar this selie lamb but gilt thus die ?
Aoralitas*
ZTbe pure people this lamb may signifie, 2700
As maill men, marchandis, and all lawboreris,
Of quhome the lyfe is half ane purgatorie,
To win with lawtie leuing as effeiris.
The wolf betaky/*nis fals extortioneris
And oppressouris of pure men, as we se, 2705
Be violence, 2 or craft in facultie.
Thre kynd of wolfis in this warld now ringis :
F. 69 b. The first ar fals peruerteris of the lawis,
Quhilk vnder poete 3 termes falset mingis,
Lettand that all wer gospell that he schawis ; 2710
Bot for ane bud the pure man he ouerthrawis,
Smorand the richt, garrand the wrang proceid :
Of sic wolfis hellis fyre sail be thair meid.
O man of law ! let be thy subteltie,
With nyce gimpis, and fraudis intricait, 2715
And think that god in his diuinitie
The wrang, the richt of all thy werkis wait :
For prayer, pryce, for hie nor law estait,
Of fals querrellis se thow mak na defence ;
Hald with the richt, hurt not thy conscience. 2720
1 Clipped by the binder. 2 MS. * vioelence. * 8 See p. 302.
Digitized by L^ooQle
202
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
Ane vther kynd of Uolfis Rauenous
Ar mychtie men, haifand aneuch plentie,
Quhilkis ar sa gredie and sa couetous,
Thay will not thoill the pure in pece to be ;
Suppois he and his houshald baith suld de
For fait of fude, thairof thay gif na rak,
Bot ouer his heid his mailling will thay tak.
CO man ! but mercie, quhat is in thy thocht,
War than ane Uolf, and thow culd vnderstand ?
Thow hes aneuch ; the pure husband richt nocht
Bot croip and calf vpon ane clout of land.
For Goddis aw, how durst thow tak on hand,
And thow in Barn and Byre sa bene and big,
To put him fra his tak and gar him thig ?
The thrid Uolf ar men of heritage,
As Lordis that hes land be Goddis lane,
And settis to the Mailleris ane Uillage,
And for ane tyme Gressome payit and tane ;
Syne vexis him, or half his terme be gane,
With pykit querrellis for to mak him fane
To flit, or pay his Gressome new agane.
His Hors, his Meir, [he man] Len to the Laird,
To drug and draw in Court or in Cariage ;
His seruand nor his self may not be spaird
To swing and sweit, withouttin Meit or wage.
Thus how he standis in laubour and bondage,
That scantlie may he purches by his maill,
To leue vpon dry breid and watter caill.
Digitized by
Google
2720
2725
2730
2735
2740
2745
THE WOLF AND THE LAMB.
203
[harleian
Ane vther kynd of wolfis rauenous
Ar michtie men, hauand full grit plentie,
Quhilkis ar sa gredie and sa couetous,
Thay will not thoill the pure in pece to be ;
Suppois he and his houshald baith suld die 2725
For fait of fude, thairof thay gif na rak,
Bot ouer his heid his mailling will thay tak.
O man ! but mercye, quhat is in thy thocht,
War than ane wolf, and thow culd vnderstand ?
Thow hes aneuch : the pure husband richt nocht 2730
F. 70 a. Bot croip and calf vpoun ane clout of land.
For goddis aw, how durst thow tak on hand,
And thow in bam and byre sa bene and big,
To put him fra his tak and gar him thig ?
The thrid wolff ar men of heritage, 2735
As lordis that hes land be goddis lane,
And settis to the mailleris ane villege,
And for ane tyme gressum pait and tane ;
Syne vexis him, or half his ^eir be gane,
With pykit querrellis for to mak him fane 2740
To flit, or pay his gressome new agane.
His horft, his meir, he man len to the laird,
To drug and draw in court and cariage ;
His seruand nor his self may not be spaird
To swing and sweit, withouttin meit or wage. 2745
Thus how he standis in labour and bondage,
That scantlie may he purches be his maill,
To leif vpon dry breid and watter caill.
Digitized by L^ooQle
204
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
Hes thow not reuth to gar thy tennentis sweit
Into thy laubour with faynt and hungrie wame,
And syne hes lytill gude to drink or eit, 2750
With his men^e at euin quhen he cummis hame ?
Thow suld dreid for rychteous Goddis blame ;
For it cryis ane vengeance vnto the heuinnis hie,
To gar ane pure man wirk but Meit or fe.
C O thow greit Lord, that riches hes and rent, 2 7 55
Thow art ane Uolf, thus to deuoir the pure ;
Think that na thing cruell nor violent
May in this warld perpetuallie Indure :
This sail thow trow and sikkerlie assure,
For till oppres thow sail haif als greit pane 2760
As thow the pure had with thy awin hand slane.
God keip the Lamb, quhilk is the Innocent,
Frome Uolfis byit and men ex[t]ortioneris ;
God grant that wrangous men of fals Intent
Be manifestit, and punischit as effeiris. 2765
And god, as thow all rychteous prayer heiris,
Mot saif our King, and gif him hart and hand
All sic Uolfis to banis out of the land.
€T Finis.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE WOLF AND THE LAMB.
205
[harleian
Hes thow not reuth to gar thy tennentis sweit
In to thy labour with faint 1 and hungrie wame, 2750
And syne hes litill gude to drink or eit,
With his men^e at euin quhen he cummis ha mt ?
F. 70 b. Thow suld dreid for richteous goddis blame ;
For it cryis ane vengeance vnto the heuinnis hie,
To gar ane pure man wirk but meit or fe. 2755
O thow grit lord, that riches hes and rent,
Be not ane wolf, thus to deuoir the pure ;
Think that na cruell nor violent thing present
May in this warld perpetuallie indure :
This sail thow trow and sikkerlie assure, 2760
For till oppres thow sail haif als grit pane
As thow the pure had with thy awin hand slane.
God keip the lamb, quhilk is the innocent,
Frome wolfis byte and fell extortioneris ;
God grant that wrangous men of fals intent 2765
Be manifestit, and punischit as effeiris.
And god, as thow all richteous prayer heiris,
Mot saif oure king, and gif him hart and hand
All sic wolfis to banes out of the land.
jfaua.
1 MS. ‘fanit.’
Digitized by L^ooQle
20 6
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
C THE TAILL OF THE PADDOK AND
THE MOUS.
V PON ANE tyme, as Esope culd Report,
Ane lytill mous come till ane Reuer syde ; 2770
Scho micht not waid, hir scharckis wer sa schort,
Scho culd not swym, scho had na hors to ryde :
Of verray force behouit hir to byde,
And to and fra besyde that Reuer deip
Scho ran, cryand with mony pietuous peip. 2775
‘ Help ouer, help ouer,’ this sillie mous can cry,
‘ For Goddis lufe, sum bodie ouer the brym.’
With that ane Paddok, in the watter by,
Put vp hir heid, and on the bank can clym,
Quhilk be nature culd dowk and gaylie swym ; 2780
With voce full rauk, scho said on this maneir :
‘ Gude morne, schir Mous, quhat is }our erand heir ? ’
c ‘ Seis thow,’ quod scho, * of corne ^one Iolie flat,
Of ryip Aittis, of Barlie, Peis, and Quheit ?
I am hungrie, and fane wald be thairat, 2 785
Bot I am stoppit be this watter deip ;
And on this syde I get na thing till eit
Bot hard Nuttis, quhilkis with my teith I bore.
Wer I be3ond, my Feist wer fer the more.
* I haif no boit ; heir is no Marineris ; 1 2790
1 Seven lines are here omitted. The first line of the fourth stanza of Har-
leian and 11. 2-7 of the fifth stanza of Harleian are printed together in Charteris
as the fourth stanza.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE PADDOCK AND THE MOUSE.
207
[harleian
F.71 «. Gbe taiU of tbe pabbofc 8 . tbe
fIDoue.
|k%pOtt flttC tyme , as esope culd report, 2770
^ Ane litill mous come to ane reueir syde ;
Scho micht not waid, hir scbankis wer sa schort,
Scho culd not swym, scho had na horft to ryde :
Of verray force behouit hir to byde,
And to and fra beside that reueir deip 2775
Scho ran, cryand with mony pietious peip.
‘ Help ouer, help ouer/ this selie mous can cry,
‘ For goddis lufe, sum bodie ouer the brym.’
With that ane paddok, in the watter by,
Put vp hir heid, and on the bank can clym, 2780
Quhilk be nature culd douk and gaylie swym ;
With voce full rauk, scho said on this maneir :
‘Gude morne, schir mous, quhat is $our eirand heir?'
‘Seis thow,* quod scho, ‘of come 3one Iolie flat,
Of ryip aitis, of barlie, peis, and quheit? 2785
I am hungrie, and fane wald be thairat,
Bot I am stoppit with this watter greit ;
And on this syde I get na thing till eit
Bot hard nuttis, quhilkis with my teith I bore.
Wer I beyond, my feist wer fer the moir. 2790
i I haif no boit ; heir is no maryner ;
F. 71 b . And thocht thair war, I haif na fraucht to pay/
Quod scho, ‘ sister, let be thy heuie cheir ;
Do my counsale, and I sail find the way
Without horft, brig, boit, or }it gallay, 2795
To bring the ouer saiflie, — be not effeird ! —
And not weitand the campis of thy beird.*
Digitized by L^ooQle
208
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
[ ]1
How can thow fleit without fedder or fyn.
This Reuer is sa deip and dangerous,
Me think that thow suld drownit be thairin.
Tell me, thairfoir, quhat facultie or gyn
Thow hes to bring the ouer this watter.* Than 2795
Thus to declair the Paddok sone began.
‘ With my twa feit,’ quod scho, * lukkin and braid,
In steid of Air, I row the streme full still ;
And thocht the brym be perrillous to waid,
Baith to and fra I row at my awin will. 2800
I may not droun, for quhy my oppin Gill
Deuoidis ay the watter I resaif :
Thairfoir to droun forsuith na dreid I haif.’
The Mous beheld vnto hir fronsit face,
Hir runkillit cheikis, and hir lippis syde, 2805
Hir hingand browis, and hir voce sa hace,
Hir loggerand leggis, and hir harsky hyde.
Scho ran abak, and on the Paddok cryde :
‘ Gif I can ony skill of Phisnomie,
Thow hes sum part 2 of falset and Inuie. 2810
1 For Clerkis sayis the Inclinatioun
Of mannis thocht proceidis commounlie
Efter the Corporall complexioun
To gude or euill, as Nature will apply :
Ane thrawert vult, ane thrawert Phisnomy. 2815
The auld Prouerb is witnes of this Lorum 8 —
Distortum vultum sequitur distortio morum?
1 See note on p. 206. 2 Orig. ‘surapart.’ * Orig. ‘ : Lorum'
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE PADDOCK AND THE MOUSE.
209
[harleian
‘ I haif grit wounder,’ quod the litill mous,
* How can thow fleit without fedder or fin.
This reuer is sa deip and dangerous, 2800
Me think that thow suld drownit be thairin.
Tell me, thairfoir, quhat facultie or gin
Thow hes to bring the ouer this watter wan/
That to declair the paddok this began.
‘With my twa feit/ quod scho, ‘ lukkin and braid, 2805
In steid of airis, I row the streme full still ;
And thocht the brym be perrillous to waid,
Baith to and fra I row at my awin will.
I may not droun, for quhy my oppin gill
Deuoidis ay the watter I ressaif : 2810
Thairfoir to droun forsuith na dreid I haif/
The mous beheld vnto hir fronsit face,
Hir runkillit cheikis, and hir lippis syde,
Hir hingand browis, and hir voce sa hace,
Hir logerand leggis, and hir harsky hyde. 2815
Scho ran abak, and on the paddok cryde :
F. 72 a, . ‘ Gif I can ony skill of phisnomy,
Thow hes sum part of falset and invy.
‘ For clerkis sayis the inclinatioun
Of mannis thocht proceidis cowmounly 2820
Efter the corporale complexioun
To guid or euill, as nature will apply :
Ane thrawin will, ane thrawin phisnomy.
The aid prouerb is witnes of this Lorum 1 —
Higtortum bultum sseqmtur higtortio morttm/ 2825
1 MS. « : fLorum/
VOL. 11. o
Digitized by L^ooQle
210
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
4 Na/ quod the Taid, 4 that Prouerb is not trew ;
For fair thingis oftymis ar fundin faikyn.
The Blaberryis, thocht thay be sad of hew,
Ar gadderit vp quhen Primeros is forsakin.
The face may faill to be the hartis takin.
Thairfoir I find this Scripture in all place :
Thow suld not luge ane man efter his face.
* Thocht I vnhailsum be to luke vpon,
I haif na cause quhy I suld lakkit be ;
Wer I als fair as Iolie Absolon,
I am no causer of that greit beutie.
This difference in forme and qualitie
Almychtie God hes causit dame Nature
To prent and set in euerilk creature.
4 Of sum the face may be full flurischeand,
Of silkin toung and cheir rycht amorous,
With mynd Inconstant, fals, and warian[d],
Full of desait and menis Cautelous/
4 Let be thy preiching/ quod the hungrie Mous,
And be quhat 1 craft thow gar me vnderstand,
That thow wald gyde me to 3one fonder land/
C * Thow wait/ quod scho, 4 ane bodie that hes neid
To help thame self suld mony wayis cast ;
Thairfoir ga tak ane dowbill tuynit threid,
And bind thy leg to myne with knottis fast.
I sail the leir to swym — be not agast ! —
Als weill as 1/ 4 as thow ? ’ than quod the Mous,
1 To preif that play it war richt perrillous.
1 Orig. ‘quhae/
Digitized by
Google
2820
2825
2830
2835
2840
2845
THE PADDOCK AND THE MOUSE.
21 1
[harleian
* Na/ quod the taid, ‘ that prouerb is not trew;
For fair thingis oftymes ar fundin faikin.
The blaberyis, thocht thay be sad of hew,
Ar gadderit vp quhen prymerois is forsaikin.
The face may faill to be the hartis {akin. 2830
Thairfoir I find this scriptour in all place :
Thow suld not iuge ane man efter his face.
* Thocht I vnhailsum be to luik vpoun,
I haif na caus quhy I suld lakkit be ;
Wer I als fair as iolie Absolon, 2835
I am no causer of that grit beutie.
This difference in forme and qualitie
Almichtie god hes causit dame nature
To prent and set in euerie creature.
‘ Of sum the face may be full flurischand, 2840
F. 72 b. Of silkin toung and cheir richt amorous,
With mynd inconstant, fals, and variant,
Full of dissait and menis cautelous.’
‘ Let be thy preiching/ quod the hungrie mous,
And be quhat craft thow gar me vnderstand 2845
That thow wald gide me to }one fonder land.’
‘Thow wait/ quod scho, ‘ane bodie that hes neid
To help thame self suld mony wayis cast ;
Thairfoir ga tak ane doubill twynit threid,
And bind thy leg to myne with knottis fast. 2850
I sail the leir to swym — be not agast ! —
Als weill as 1 / * as thow ? ’ than quod the mous,
‘To preif that play it war richt perrillous.
Digitized by L^ooQle
212
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
* Suld I be bund and fast quhar I am fre,
In hoip of help, than I schrew ws baith,
For I mycht lois baith lyfe and libertie.
Gif it wer swa, quha suld amend the skaith ?
Bot gif thow sweir to me the murthour aith 2850
But fraud or gyle, to bring me ouer this flude
But hurt or harme.’ ‘In Faith,’ quod scho, ‘I dude.’
Scho goikit vp, and to the hevin can cry :
‘O Iuppiter, of Nature God and King,
I mak ane aith trewlie to the, that I 2855
This lytill Mous sail ouer this watter bring.’
This aith wes maid ; the Mous, but persauing
The fals Ingyne of this foull trappald 1 Taid,
Tuke threid and band hir leg, as scho hir bad.
Then fute for fute thay lap baith in the brym ; 2860
Bot in thair myndis thay wer rycht different :
The Mous thocht of na thing bot for to swym,
The Paddok for to droun set hir Intent.
Quhen thay in mid wart of the streme wer went,
With all hir force the Paddok preissit Doun, 2865
And thocht the Mous without mercie to Droun.
c Persauand this, the Mous on hir can cry :
‘ Tratour to God, and manesworne vnto me,
Thow swore the murthour aith richt now, that I
But hurt or harme suld ferryit be and fre 2870
And quhen scho saw thair wes bot do or de,
With all hir mycht scho forcit hir to swym,
And preissit vpon the Taiddis bak to Clym.
1 So Hart : but cf. pp. 213, 279.
Digitized by
Google
THE PADDOCK AND THE MOUSE.
213
[harleian
‘ Sould I be bund and fast quhair I am fre,
In hope of help, than I schrew ws baith, 2855
For I micht lois baith lyfe and libertie.
Gif it war swa, quha suld amend the skaith ?
Bot gif thow sweir to me the murthour aith
But fraude or gile, to bring me ouer this flude 2859
But hurt or harme.* * In faith,* quod scho, ‘ I dude.*
Scho goikit vp, and to the hevin can cry :
* O Iuppiter, of nature god and king,
I mak ane aith trewlie to the, that I
This litill mous sail ouer this watter bring.*
This aith wes maid ; this mous, but presauing 2865
F. 73 a . The fals ingyne of this foull carpand 1 pad,
Tuik threid and band hir leg, as scho hir bad.
Then fute for fute thay lap baith in the brym \
Bot in thair myndis thay war richt different :
The mous thocht of na thing bot for to swym, 2870
The paddok for to droun set hir intent.
Quhen thay in midwart of the streme war went,
With all hir force the paddok preissit doun,
And thocht the mous without mercie to droun.
Persauand this, the mous on hir can cry : 2875
‘ Tratour to god, and manesworne vnto me,
Thow swore the murthour aith richt now, that I
But hurt or harme suld ferryit be and fre ;*
And quhen scho saw thair wes bot do or de,
With all hir micht scho forsit hir to swym, 2880
And preissit vpoun the taiddis bak to clym.
1 See p. 212.
Digitized by L^ooQle
214
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
The dreid of deith hir strenthis gart Incres,
And forcit hir defend with mycht and mane.
The Mous vpwart, the Paddok doun can preis ;
Quhyle to, quhyle fra, quhyle dowkit vp agane.
The sillie Mous, plungit in to greit pane,
Gan fecht als lang als breith wes in hir breist,
Till at the last scho cryit for ane Preist.
Fechtand thusgait, the Gled sat on ane twist,
And to this wretchit battell tuke gude heid ;
And with ane wisk, or ony of thame wist,
He claucht his cluik betuix thame in the threid ;
Syne to the land he flew with thame gude speid,
Fane of that fang, pyipand with mony pew ;
Syne lowsit thame, and baith but pietie slew.
Syne bowellit /^ame, Mat Boucheour with his bill,
And belliflaucht full fettiilie thame flaid ;
Bot all thair flesche wald scant be half ane fill,
And guttis als, vnto that gredie glaid.
Of thair debait thus quhen I hard outraid,
He tuke his flicht, and ouer the feildis flaw :
Gif this be trew, speir at thame that saw.
Moralitas.
MY Brother, gif thow will tak aduertence
Be this Fabill, thow may persaue and se,
It passis far all kynd of Pestilence,
Ane wickit mynd with wordis fair and sle.
Be war thairfoir, with quhome thow fallowis the ;
To the wer better beir the stane barrow,
For all thy day is to delf quhill thow may dre,
Than to be machit with ane wickit marrow.
Digitized by
Google
2875
2880
2885
2890
2895
2900
THE PADDOCK AND THE MOUSE.
215
[harleian
The dreid of deith hir strenthis gart incres,
And forcit hir defend with micht and mane.
The mous vpwart, the paddok doun can pres ;
Quhile to, quhile fra, quhile doukit vp agane. 2885
The selie mous, plungit in to grit pane,
Gan fecht als lang als breith war in hir breist,
Till at the last scho cryit for ane preist.
Fechtand thusgait, the gled sat on ane twist,
And to this wretchit battell tuik guid heid ; 2890
F. 73 6 . And with ane wisk, or ony of thame wist,
He clawcht his cluik betuix thame in the threid ;
Syne to the land he flew with thame guid speid,
Fane of that fang, pyipand with mony pew ;
Syne lousit thame, and baith but pietie slew. 2895
Syne bowellit thame, that boucheour with his bill,
And bellie flaucht full fettillie thame fled ;
Bot all thair flesche wald scant be half ane fill,
And guttis als, vnto that gredie gled.
Of this debait thus quhen I hard outred, 2900
He tuik his flicht, and ouer the feildis flaw :
Gif this be trew, speir $e at thame that saw.
as oralttas.
brother, gif thow will tak aduertence
Be this fabill, thow may persaif and se,
It passis far all kinde of pestilence, 2905
Ane wickit mynd with wordis fair and sle.
Bewar thairfoir, with quhome thow fallowis the;
To the war better beir the stane barrow,
For all thy dayis to delf quhill thow may dre,
Than to be matchit with ane wickit marrow. 2910
Digitized by L^ooQle
21 6
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
C Ane fals Intent vnder ane fair presence
Hes causit mony Innocent for to de.
Greit folie is to gif ouer sone credence
To all that speikis fairlie vnto the.
Ane silkin toung, ane hart of crueltie,
Smytis more sore than ony schot of arrow.
Brother, gif thow be wyse, I rid the fie
To mache the with ane thrawart, fen^eit marrow.
I warne the als, it is greit negligence
To bind the fast quhar thow wes frank and fre ;
Fra thow be bund, thow may mak na defence
To saif thy iyfe, nor 3k thy libertie.
This simpill counsal, brother, tak of me,
And it to cun perqueir se thow not tarrow,
Better but stryfe to leif allane in le
Than to be machit with ane wickit marrow.
This hald in mynde : rycht more I sail the tell
Quharby thir beistis may be figurate.
The Paddok, vsand in the flude to dwell,
Is mannis bodie, swymand air and lait
In to this warld, with cairis Implicate,
Now hie, now law, quhylis plungit vp, quhylis doun,
Ay in perrell, and reddie for to droun.
Digitized by
Google
2905
2910
2915
2920
2925
THE PADDOCK AND THE MOUSE.
217
[harleian
Ane fals intent vnder ane fair pretence
Hes causit mony innocent for to de.
Grit folie is to gif ouer sone credence
74 a. To all that speikis fairlie vnto the.
Ane silkin toung, ane hart of crueltie, 2915
Smytis more sore than ony schot of arrow.
Brother, gif thow be wyse, I rid the fie
To matche the with ane thrawit, fein^eit marrow.
I wame the als, it is grit negligence
To bind the fast quhair thow was frank and fre ; 2920
Fra thow be bund, thow may mak na defence
To saif thy life, nor }it thy libertie.
This simpill counsale, brother, tak of me,
And it to cun 1 p^rqueir se thow not tarrow,
Better but stryfe allane to leif in le 2925
Than to be matchit with ane wickit marrow.
This hald in mynde : richt moir I sail the tell
Quhairby thir beistis may be figurate.
The paddok, vsand in the flude to duell,
Is ma/mis bodie, swymand air and lait 2930
In to this warld, with cairis implicate,
Now hie, now law, quhilis plungit vp, quhilis doun,
Ay in perrell, and reddie for to droun.
Now dolorous, now blyith as bird on breir;
Now in fredome, now wappit 2 in distres; 2935
Now haill and sound, now deid and brocht on beir;
Now pure as lob, now rowand in riches ;
Now gownis gay, now bratis laid in pres ;
74 b - Now full as fitche, 8 now hungrie as ane hound ;
Now on the quheill, now wrappit 4 to the ground. 2940
1 MS. ‘cum. , Cf. pp. 216, 281. 2 Hart, ‘wrapped.* Cf. p. 282.
8 Or ‘ficche.* Cf. p. 282. 4 Cf. p. 282. Hart, ‘wrapped.*
Digitized by L^ooQle
2l8
THE FABLES.
CHARTERIS]
This lytill Mous, heir knit thus be the schyn,
The Saull of man betakin may indeid ;
Bundin, and fra the bodie may not wyn,
Quhill cruell deith cum brek of lyfe the threid ;
The quhilk to droun suld euer stand in dreid,
Of Carnall lust be the Suggestioun
Quhilk drawis ay the Saull, and druggis doun.
The Gled is Deith, that cummis suddandlie,
As dois ane theif, and cuttis sone the battall.
Be vigilant, thairfoir, and ay reddie,
For mannis lyfe is brukill, and ay mortall :
My freind, thairfoir, mak the ane strang Castell
Of Faith in Christ ; for deith will the assay,
Thow wait not quhen — euin, morrow, or midday.
Adew, my freind ; and gif that ony speiris
Of this Fabill sa schortlie I conclude,
Say thow, I left the Laif vnto the freiris,
To mak exempill and ane similitude.
Now Christ for vs that deit on the Rude,
Of Saull and lyfe as thow art Saluiour,
Grant vs to pas in till ane blissit hour.
C Finis.
Digitized by
Google
2930
293s
2940
2945
THE PADDOCK AND THE MOUSE.
219
[harleian
This litill mous, heir knit thus be the schin,
The saule of man betakin may indeid ;
Bundin, and fra the bodie may not win,
Quhill cruell deith cum brek of life the threid ;
The quhilk to droun suld euer stand in dreid, 2945
Of camale lust be the suggestioun
Quhilk drawis ay the saule, and druggis doun.
The watter is the warld, ay welterand
With mony wall of trubulatioun,
In quhilk the saule and bodie wer steirand, 2950
Standand richt different in thair opinioun ;
The saule vpwart, the bodie precis doun :
The saule richt fane wald be brocht ouer, I wis,
Out of this warld in to the heui*nis blis. 1
The gled is deith, that cu/rcmis suddandlie, 2955
As dois ane theif, and cuttis sone the battell.
Be vigilant, thairfoir, and ay reddie,
For mannis lyfe is brukill, and ay mortale :
My freind, thairfoir, mak the ane strang castell
Of faith in christ ; for deith will the assay, 2960
Thow wait not quhen — euin, morrow, or midday. •
Adew, my freind ; and gif that ony speiris
F. 75 a. Of this fabill sa schortlie I conclude,
Say thow, I left the laif vnto the freiris,
To mak exempill and ane similitude. 2965
Now christ for ws that deit on the rude,
Of saule and lyfe as thow art saluiour,
Grant ws to pas in till ane blissit hour.
JFtnfg.
1 Cf. p. 282, 11. 179-185.
Digitized by L^ooQle
Digitized by
MAKCULLOCH TEXT
Digitized by L^OOQle
Digitized by
[makculloch
F.2&.
[PROLOGUE.]
T HOWCHT fen3eit fables of auld poetry
be nocht al groundit vpone trewth, $it
]?ar polit termyft of sueit rethory
ar rycht plesand one to ]>e eyr of ma# ;
and alft J>e cauft quhy ]?ai ferst begane
was to repreif J>e of ]>i myslewyng,
of raa n be figowr of ane o]>er thing.
In lik man^r as throw a bustewouft erd,
so it be laborit with grit diligews,
spryngyft ]>e flowr is & ]?e corn^ on brerd, io
hailsum & gud to mamiis sustune*s,
so spryngift )>ar a moral sueit sewtens
out of ]>e sutell dyt of poetry,
to gud purpoft, quha cowth it weil apply.
The nuttw schell, thocht it be hard & thewch, 15
haldis ]?e kyrnal sueit & delectabill :
so lyift ]?ar a doctryne wift anewch, 1
and ful of fruyt, wij rin a fen^eit fabill.
and clerkift sayift, it is xycht profitabill
amang ernyst to myng a mery sport, 20
to blyth ]?e spreit, and gar J?e tyme be schort.
1 MS. ‘awewch.’
]?a n
5
Digitized by
Google
224
THE FABLES.
makculloch]
For as a bow pat ay is bent
worthis wnsmert & dullis on pe stryng,
so dois pe mynd pat ay is diligent
in ernystful thowchtt/V, & in studying : 25
wzt^ sad materis sum meryneft to myng
accordis weil, pis esop said, I wyft,
‘dulcius arrident seria picta iocyft/
Off pis poete, my masteris, with 3our leif,
submyttyng me to 30m correctione, 30
in mod^r thowng of latyne I walld preif
to mak a man^r of translatiowne ;
no^t of my self, for wayne presumptioune,
bot be request & pr<?cep of ane lord,
of quhome pe name it nedz> noc^t record. 35
In hamly langage & in termeft ruyd
me nedzV wryt, for quhy of eloquezzs
nor rethory neuzr I wnd^rstuyd :
]?arfoir meikly I pray 30m reuerens,
gyf ^e fend owcht pat throw my necligezzs 40
be dymynut, or 3k sup<frfluus,
correk it at 3our willis gracius.
My auctowr in pis fabill tellis quhow
pa.t brutell bestw spak, & wnd^rstuyd,
and to gud purpoft disput, & argow, 45
a sylogysme propone, & eik conclud ;
puttyng exempill & similitud
quhow mony men in op<fratiowne
ar lik to bestz'j* in r^ditiowne.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE COCK AND THE JEWEL.
225
[makculloch
No merwell is a raa n be lik a best, 50
quhilk leiffis ay carnal foul delyt ;
pat schayme ca* notM deren^e & arrest,
bot takis al pe lust & appetyt,
quhilk, throw custuw & pe dayly ryt,
syne in pe mynd is sa fast radicat 5 5
pat he in brutal best is transformat.
This nobil clerk esop, as I haf tald,
In gay meteyr & in facund purpurat,
be figowfr] wryt his buk, for he no wald
1 tak pe disdeyne of he nor law estat. 60
and to begyne, fyrst of a cok he wrat,
sekand his meit, quhilk fand a ioly stone,
of quhom pe fabil 3e sal heir anone.
[THE COCK AND THE JEWEL.] 2
A cok, su m tyme, wft^ fetherem frech & gay,
xycht cant & crowft, albeit he weft bot purer, 65
fl[e]w furth apone a dou ng hill son be day ;
to get his dyner set weft al his cur* :
scrapand amang pe aft, be aduentur*
he fand a ioly iasp, xyc/it precius,
weft cassyn out in swopyng of pe houft. 70
As damycellis wantone & insolent,
pa. t z fayne wald play, & on pe streit be sen*,
to swoppyng of pe houft pa.\ tak no tent,
tak no tent so at pe fluyr be clene ;
Iowellis ar tynt, as oftymyft as ben* sen*, 7 5
apone pe fluyr, & swoppyt furth anon* —
p*raue«tur*, so weft pe satfzmyne stone.
1 Cf. pp. 6 , 7. 2 No gap in the MS. 3 MS. ‘ t>ai.'
- II. ‘ P
Digitized by L^ooQle
226
THE FABLES.
makculloch]
So m*rwelland apone pe ston*, quod he,
‘ o gentill iasp ! o rich & nobill thing !
thowch I pe fynd, )?ow ganyft nodit for me ; 80
]?ow art a iowell for a lord or king.
it wer pete pow suld in pis myddyng
be beriit pus amang pis muk & mold,
and ]>ow so fair, & worth so mekill gold.
* It is pete I suld pe fynd, for quhy 85
pi grit v*rtu, nor 3k pi colowr cleyr,
it may na per extoll no 3it ma^mfy ;
and pow to me ma mak bot litil cheir.
F. 3 a . til grit lordift thoc/it \>ovt be haldyne deyr,
I luf far better thing of left awalle, 90
as draff, or corn*, to fill my towm intrall.
* I had leu*r go schraip heir wft^ my naillis
amang pis moll, & luk my liffis fud,
as draff, or com*, smal wormyft, or snallis,
or ony meit wald do my stomok gud, 95
pa. n of iaspis a mekill multitud :
and pov? agane, apone pe samyn* wyft,
may me as now for J>in awall dispice.
* Thow haft na com*, & pa.r of I had neid ;
pi cowlowr doyft bot contort to pe sycht, 100
& J>at is noc/it an[e]wch my wame to feid ;
for wyffis sayis pat lukand werk is lycht
I wald sum meit haf, get it gif I mycht,
for hungry me« ma noc/it weil leif on lukift :
had I dry breid, I cownt nocAt of na cukift. 105
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE COCK AND THE JEWEL.
227
[makculloch
* Quhar suld Jww mak )?hyn habitatiown ?
quhar suld ]ww duel, bot in a ryal towr ?
quhar suld }ww set, bot in a kyngfx crown,
exault in wyrschip & [in] 1 grit honowr?
ryft, gewtill iasp, of al stanis J>e flowr, no
out of J>is fen*, & paft quhar )ww suld be ;
]?<?w ganyft nochx. for [me], na I for J>e.*
Leiffand ]?is iowell law apone )?e grovnd,
to seik his meit J>is cok his wayis went ;
bot quhe«, or quhow, or quhom* by it weft fownd, 1 1 5
as now I set to hald no argument :
bot of J?e in wart sewtews & intent
of }ns fabill, as myn* autor dois vryt,
I sal reherft in rud & ham*le dyt.
Moralitas . 2
This Iowell iasp heft pn?p*rteys sewyne : 120
the fyrst, of colowr it is m*rwaluft,
pairX. lik ]>e fyir, & pairt is lik ]>e hewyne :
and makift a ma n stark & victoryuft ;
preft*rwift alft fra casis p*rellus :
quha haft )>is stane sal haf gud hoip to speid, 125
of fyr & noi sal hyme neid is nochx to dreid.
this ge^till Iasp, xycht deferent of hewe,
betaknyft p*Hyt prude«s & cu^nyng,
* ornat with mony deidfx of v*rtu,
more exelland ony erdly thing, 130
quhilk makift ma n in honowr ay to ryng,
happy, & stark to hef J?e victory
of al wic/x & spir/taall innemy.
1 Cf. pp. 10, 11.
2 In the MS. this heading introduces the next stanza. See pp. 10, n, and
274. 3 MS. J>*
Digitized by LjOOQle
228
THE FABLES.
makculloch]
quha ma be harddy, rych, & graciowft ?
quha cazz eschew p*rell & advezztur*?
quha cazz gouuerne a realme, cite, or howft
wztaowt sciens ? no thing, I 30W assure.
it is rycheft pat eu ir sail enduir,
quhilk moith, na moist, na o pir rowst [sail] fret :
to mazznis saul it is et*mall meit.
pis cok, disyryng mar* pc sampill corn*
pan ony ia[s]p, may till a fuyll be peir,
quhilk at sciens makis bot a mok & scorn*,
and na gud can \ & alft litill will leir ;
his hart walwmlys wyft argumezztzj to heir,
as dois a sow, to quhom* me« for pc nonyft
In hir draff trowch wald saw pc pr*cius stonyft.
Quha is innemy to sciens & cuzznyng
bot ignorazztz> pat wnd*rstandz> nocht ?
quhilk is so nobill, pr*cius, & so dyng,
pat it may with na erdly gud be bocht.
weill war pat ma n our al o) >t'r, pat mocht
al his lifdayis in p*rfyt study wayr
to get sciens ; for hyme nedit no mar*.
Bot now, allace, pis iasp is tynt & hid :
we seik noeht, no preft it nocht to fynd.
haif we rycheft, no bettz> lyif we byd,
of sciens thocht pc saul be bair & blynd.
of pis mater to speik it wair bot wynd ;
]?arfoir I ceft, and wil na forther say :
ga seik pc iasp quha wil, for par it lay.
Digitized by
Google
*35
140
145
150
155
160
BANNATYNE TEXT
Digitized by
Google
Digitized by
[bannatyne
[THE SWALLOW & OTHIR BIRDIS .] 1
F. 299 a . 'npHE he prudence, and wirking m^rvellus,
-L The profound wit of god omnipotent
Is so p*rfyt and so ingeing,
Excelland fer all manis argument ;
For quhy till him all thing is present, 5
Rycht as it is, or ony tyme salbe,
Befoir ]?e sicht of his devinite.
Thairfore out saull wit h sensualitie
So fettrit is in presoun corporale,
We may nocht cleirlye vndirstand nor see 10
God as he is, a thing celestiale 2 :
Oure mirk and deidlye corft materiale 2
Blindis J>e spirituall operatioun,
Lyke as ma n war bundi# in presoun.
In metaphisik aristotle sayis 15
That manis saule is lyke ane bakkis ee,
Quhilk lurkis still as lang as lycht of day is,
And in ]?e glomiwg cuwis furth to flee ;
Hir eine ar waik, ]>e sun scho may nocfa see :
So is oure saule w/t^ phantesye opprest, 20
To knaw the thingis in nature manifest.
1 The title is in a later hand. This fable begins the * fyift pairt * of Banna-
tyne’s MS., ‘contenyng the fabillis of Esop with diuerft vjnr fabillis and
poeticall workis maid & Compyld be diuers lernit men 1568.’
2 Cf. pp. 120, 1 21.
Digitized by L^ooQle
232
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
For god is in his power infinyte,
And matfnis saule is febill and owir small,
Off vndirstanding waik and vnperfyte, 1
To comprehend him J>at contenis ail. 25
Non suld presume, be reasoun naturale,
To serche ]>e secretis of J>e trinetie,
Bot trow fermlie, and lat dirk ressounis be.
3 it nevir]?eles we may hawe knawlegeing
Off god almychtie be his creatouris, 30
That he is guid, fair, wyift, and bening ;
Exemple takis be thir Iolye flouris,
Rycht sweit off smell and plesand of colouris,
Sum grene, sum blew, sum purpure, quhyte, a«d ride,
Thus distribute be 2 gift of his godheid. 35
The firmament paintit witA starris cleir,
Fra eist to west rolland in circill round,
And everye planete in his propir sphere,
In moving makand armonye and sound ;
The fyre, ]?e air, ]?e watter, and ]>e ground — 40
Till vnderstand it is anuch, I wift,
That god in all his warkis wittie is.
Luik we the fische ]?at sowmis in J>e se ;
Luik we in erd all kynd of bestiall ;
The foulis fair, so forcelye thay flee, 45
Scheddand ]>e air w/tA pe/mis grite and small ;
Syne luik to ma«, quAilk god maid last of all,
Lyke till his ymage and his similitude :
Be thir we knaw J?at god is fair and guid.
1 MS. * vnperfyse.’ 2 MS. ‘ >e.’
Digitized by LjOOQle
THE SWALLOW AND THE OTHER BIRDS.
233
[bannatyne
F. 299 b. All creatouris he maid For the behuiffe 50
Off ma «, and till his suppertatioun
Into ]ris erd, baith vnder and abowe,
In nowmer, wecht, and dew proportioun ;
The differens off tyme, and ilk seasoun,
Concordand to oure oportunitie, 55
As daylie be experiens we do see.
The somer with his Iolye ma«till grene,
With flouris fair furrit on everye fent,
Quhilk Flora goddes, of everye flouris quene, 1
Hes to ]?at lord as for his seasoun lent, 60
And phebus with [his x ] gowdin beames gent
Hes purfillit and paintit plesandlie,
With heat and mosture stilland fra ]>e skye.
Syne herwest hait, quhe« seres }?at goddes
Hir bamis benit hes with abundance ; 65
And bachchus, god of wyne, renewit hes
Hir louid 1 pypes in Italie and france,
With wynis wicht, and liccowr of pleasaincce ;
And copia temp^ris to fill hir home,
That nevir wes full of quhite nor v)>ir come. 70
Syne winter wan, quhen austeme Eolus,
God off ]?e wind, with blastis boriall,
The grene garmont of symmer glorious
Hes all to re«t and revin in peicis small ;
Than flouris fair faidit with frost moist fall, 75
And birdis blyith changeis ]?air notis sweit
Intill murni«g, neir slane with snaw and sleit.
1 Cf. pp. 124, 125.
Digitized by L^ooQle
234
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
Thir dailis deip with dubbis drownit is,
Baith hill and holt heilit with frostis hair;
And bewis bene ar bethit, bair of blift, 80
Be wikkit windis of )>e wintare wair.
All wyild beistis tha« fra J?e bentis bair
Drawis for dreid vnto J?air de/mis deip,
Couchand for cauld in cowis J?ame to keip.
Syne cuwis wer, quhen wintare is away, 85
The secretare of somer with his seill,
Quhen columbie vp kikis throw J>e clay,
Quhilk fleit was before with frostis feill.
The mavisft and J>e merle begi«nis to meale ;
The lark on loft, with v\ir birdis smale, 90
Than drawis furth fra dame, on down a«d daile.
T HAT sami n seasoun, into a soft morning,
Rycht blyith J?ai bitter blastis wer ago,
Wnto ]>e wod, to see ]>e flouris spring,
And heir ]>e mawisft sing and birdis mo, 95
I passit furth, syne luikit to and Fro,
To se the suyll }?at was richt seasonable,
Sappie, and to ressawe all seidis hable.
Movand thus gait, grit mirth I tuik in mynde,
Off lawboraris to see J?e besynace, 100
1 F. 301 a. Sum makand dike, and sum J?e pleuch can wynd,
Sum sawand sedis fast fra place to place,
The harrowis hoppand in the sawaris trace :
It was grite Ioy to him ]?at lufit come,
To se thame laboure sa at evin and morne. 105
1 Folios 300 and 301 have been transposed (probably in the rebinding of
the MS.).
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE SWALLOW AND THE OTHER BIRDS.
2 35
[bannatyne
And as I baid vnder a bank full bene,
In hert gritlie reiosit of ]?at sicht,
Vnto a hege, vnder a hawthome grene,
Off small birdis J?air come a ferlye flicht,
And doun belyve can on J?e levis lycht, no
On every e syde about me quhaix I stude,
Rycht m*ruelous, a mekle multitude.
Amang the quhilk a sualow loud coud cry,
On that hawthome heich in }>e crop sittand,
‘ O 3e birdis on bewis here me by, 115
3e sail wele knaw, and wyisly vndirstand,
Quhair danger is and p*rrell appeirawd ;
It is grite wiftdome to prowyde before,
It to deuoid, or drede it hurt 30W more.*
‘Schir Suallow,’ quod ]?e lark agane, and leuch, 120
‘Quhat hawe 3e sene ]?at causis 30W to drede?
‘ Se 3e 3one churll,’ quod scho, * be3ond 3one pleuch,
Fast sawand hemp — lo, se ! — and lynget sede ?
3one lynt will grow in lytill tyme of 1 dede,
And thairof will 3one churll his nettis mak, 125
Vnder J?e quhilk he thinkis ws to tak.
‘ Thairfore I rede pas we quhe« he is gone,
At evin, and w/t^ our nailis scharp and small,
Out of J?e erd schraip we 3one sede anon*,
And ete it wp ; for, gif it growis, we sail 130
Haue cauft to weip here eftir ane and all :
Se we remede ]>airfore furth with instante,
“ Nam leuius ledit quicquid prouidimus ante.”
1 See pp. 128, 129.
Digitized by L^ooQle
236
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
‘ For clerkis sayis it is [nocht *] sufficient
To considder }?at is befoir J?ine ee ; 135
Bot prudence is ane inward argument,
That garris a ma« prowyde befoir and see
Quhat guid, quhat evill is likly for to be
Off everye thingis at ]>e Finall end,
And se fro p<?rrell ethar 1 him defend.' 140
The lark, lauchand, the suallow thus coud scorn e,
And said, * scho fischit lang befoir ]>e nett ;
The bame is eith to busk }?at is vnborne ;
All growis nocht J?at in J?e ground is sett ;
The nek to stoup, quh tn it J>e strake sail get, 145
Is sone eneuch ; dede on ]?e feyest fall.' —
Thus scomit thay ]>e suallow ane and all.
Despising thus hir hailsum document,
The foulis ferftlye 1 tuke ]?air flicht anone ;
Sum vritfi a bir }?aj braidit our ]>e bent, 150
And sum agane ar to ]?e grene wod gone.
Vpoun ]>e land, quhair I wes left allone,
I tuke my club, and hamewart coud I carye,
So ferlyand, as I had sene a farye.
F. 301 £. We furth passit quhill Iune, that Iolye tyde, 155
And sedis ]?at war sawin of beforne
War growin heich, ]?at hairis mycAt J>ame hyde,
And als }?e qual^e crakand in ]?e corne ;
I movit furth, betwene midday and mome,
Vnto ]?e hege, vnder ]>t hawthorne grene, 160
Quhair I befoir J?e said birdis had sene.
1 See pp. 130, 131.
Digitized by CjOOQle
THE SWALLOW AND THE OTHER BIRDS.
237
[bannatyne
And as I stude, be aventure and cais,
The samin birdis as I haif said 30W air,
I hoip becaus it was ]?air halting place,.
Mair of succour or ^it mair solitare, 165
Thay lychtit doun ; and, quhen ]?aj lychtit ware,
The suallow suyft put furth a piteouft pyme, 1
Said, * wois him ca n nocht be war in tyme !
‘ O blind birdis ! and full of negligence,
Vnmyndfull of }our prosperitie, 170
Cast vp $our sycht and tak guid aduertence,
Luik to ]>g lynt }?at growis on 3ond lye ;
3one is the thing I bad furthw/t^ ]?at we,
Quhill it was seid, had tane it out of J?e erd ;
Now it is lynt, now is it heych on breird. 175
* Go }it, quhill it is tendir, }oung and small,
And pull it vp ; lett it no moir increft ;
My flesch growis, my bodye quakis all,
Thinkand on it I may nocht sleip in peft.’
Thaj cryit all and baid }?e suallow ceift, 180
And said, 1 $one lint heireftir will do guid,
For lingett is a lytill birdis fuid.
1 We think, quhen that 3one lint bowis ar rype,
To mak ws feyst, and fill ws of J>e seid,
Mawgre 3one churll, and on it sing and pype.* 185
1 Weill/ quod J>e suallow, ‘ freindis hardlye beit ;
Do as 3e will, bot certane sair I dreid,
Heireft/r 3e sail find als soure as sweit,
quhen 3e ar speldit on 3one cairlis speit
1 MS. ‘ pry me/
Digitized by L^ooQle
238
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
‘The awnare off ^one lint ane fowlare is, 190
Rycht cawtelous and Full off subteltye;
His pray Full seindill tymes will he mift,
Bot giff we birdis all ]?e warrare be ;
Full monye of our kin he [hes *] gart dee,
And thocht it bot ane sport till spill \air blude : 195
God keip me fra him, and ]>e hellie rude/
Thir small birdis haifand bot litill thocht
Off perrell J?at mycht Fall be aventoure,
The counsale of ]?e suallow sett at nocht,
Bot tuik ]?air flicht and on togidder fure ; 200
Sum to }?e wod, sum markit to J>e mure.
I tuik my stalf, quhe# this was said and done,
And walkit hame, quhill it drew neir ha«d none.
This lint rypit, )>e carll pullit J?e lyne,
ripplit ]>e bowis, and in beitis sett, 205
It steipit in ]>e bume, and dryit syne,
And with a bittill knokit it and bett,
Syne scutchit it weill, and heclit it in J>e flett ;
F.300 a. His wyffe it span, and twane it into Freid,
Off quhilk ]>e Foular nettis war maid indeid. 210
The wintare cam, the wickit wind ca n blaw,
The woddis grene war wallowit with J?e weit,
Bayth Firth and Fell with frostis war maid Faw,
Slonkis and slak maid slidderie with ]>e sleit ;
The foulis fair For fait J>aj fell off feit ; 215
Quhen bewis bair, it was na bute to byde,
Bot hyit on in housft }?ame to hyde.
1 Cf. pp. 134, 135.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE SWALLOW AND THE OTHER BIRDS.
239
[bannatyne
Sum in J>e beme, sum in ]?e stak of corne
The ludgeing tuke and maid thair residence ;
The fowlare saw and grit athis hes he swome 220
Thaj suld be tane trewlie for }?air expence.
His nettis he hes sett with diligence,
And in ]?e snaw he schulit hes a plane,
And healit it all 1 ower with calf agane.
Thir small birdis seand ]?e calf was gled ; 225
Trowand it had bene corne, ]?aj lychtit doun ;
Bot of ]>e nettis na presume ]?aj had,
Nor of ]?e fowlaris falft inte/ztioun ;
To schraip and seik \air meit J>aj maid }?ame boun.
The suallow into a branche litill by, 2 230
Dreda«d for gyle, thus loud on ]?ame coud cry :
‘ Into J>is caffe scraip quhill 8 30 ur nailis bleid,
Thair is na come, }e laubozn: all in vaine 4 ;
Trow ^e 3one churll for pietie will 30W feid?
Na, na, he hes it lyit heir for a traine ; 235
Remowe, I ride 30W, or ellis 3e wilbe slaine ;
His nettis he hes sett Full priuelie,
Reddie to draw ; in tyme be war For thye/
Grite Full is he ]?at puttis in dagger
His lyfe, his honour, For a thing of nocht ; 240
grite fule is he }?at will no^t glaidlie heir
Counsale in tyme, quhill it availl hi m mocht ;
Grite Fule is he J>at na thing hes in thocht
Bot thing present, and eftir quhat may fall,
Nor off ]>e end hes na memoriall. 245
1 MS. ‘at.* Cf. pp. 136, 137. 2 Cf. pp. 136, 137.
3 MS. ‘will.* Cf. pp. 136, 137. 4 MS. ‘invaine.’
Digitized by L^ooQle
240
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
Thir small birdis, For hungar famist neir,
Full bissie scraipa^d for to seik \air fude,
The counsale of J>e suallow wald noc/it heir,
Suppoift J>air laubowr did J>ame litill guid.
Quhen scho pair Fulisch hertis vnderstude, 250
So indurate, vp in a tree scho flew ;
Witd }>at ]>e churll owir J?ame his nettis drew.
Alace ! it was rycht grite hertis sair to see
That bludye bouchure beit >aj birdis doun,
And for to heir, quhe« )>aj wist weill to dee, 255
Thair c[a]irfull sang and lamewtatioun :
Sum w/tfc ane staffe he straik to erd in s[w]oun,
Sum offe ]?e heid, off sum he brak pe craig,
Sum half on lywe he stappit in his bag.
And quhe« pt suallow saw ]?at }?aj war deid, 260
‘ Lo ! ’ quod scho, ‘ thus it happi««/V oftin syift
Off J>ame pat will nocht tak counsale nor reid
Off prudewt m tn or clerkis pat ar wyift ;
This grit p^rrell I tauld pame mair tha# thryift ;
F. 300 b . Now ar J»aj deid, and wo is 1 me paitioxt ! * 265
Scho tuik hir flych/, 2 bot hir I saw no moir.
[Moralitas.]
Lo, worthie folk, esope, pat nobill clerk,
Ane poete wirthie to be lawreate,
Quhe« he waikit fra moir autewtik work,
With vther mo, }?is foirsaid faibill wrate, 270
Quhilk at pis tyme may weilbe applicate
To guid morale edificatioun,
Hawand ane sentence cordand to reasoun.
1 MS. ‘wois.’ 2 MS. ‘flych.’
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE SWALLOW AND THE OTHER BIRDS.
241
[bannatyne
This carll and bond of gentrice [sjpoliate, 1
Sawand ]?is caff, ]?ir small birdis to slay, 275
It is J?e feind, qu/iilk fra ]?e angellis state
Exylit is, as fals apostita :
Quhilk day and nycht nevir werye to ga
Sawand poysoun and monye wickit thocht
In mamiis saule, qu/iilk christ full deir hes bocht. 280
And quhen ]?e saull, as seid dois in J?e erd,
Giffis consent in delectatioun,
The wickit thocht tha^ begywnis to breird
In deidlye syn, qufolk is da/wpnatioun ;
Reasoun is blindit with affectioun, 285
And carnall lust growis full grene and gay,
Throw conswetude ha^tit fra day to day.
Proceding Furth be vse and consuetude,
Syn rypis, and schame is sett on syde ;
The feind plettis his nettis stark and rude, 290
And vnder pleasaunce priuelye dois hyde ;
Syne on ]?e feild he sawis calf full wyde,
Quhilk is bot tome and verrye vanitie
Off fleschlye lust and vaine prosperitie.
Thir hungrie birdis wretchis we may call, 295
Ay scraipand in J»is wardlis vaine plesaunce,
Gredye to gadder guidis temporall,
Quhilk as J>e caff ar tome w/t^out substaunce,
Litill of vaill, and full of variance,
Lyke to ]>e mow befoir J?e face of wind 300
Wiskis away and makis wretchis blind.
1 Cf. pp. 140, 141.
VOL. II. Q
Digitized by L^ooQle
242
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
This 1 suallow, quhilk escapit thus J?e snair,
The halye precheoar weill may signifie,
Exortand men to walk and ay be war
Fra nettis of our wickit e/memye,
Quhilk slepis nocht, bot evir is reddye,
Quhe« wretchis in ]>is warldis wrak do scraip,
To draw his nett, that }?aj may nocht eschaip.
Alace ! quhat cair, quhat wepitfg is and wo,
Quhe/s saull and bodye pairtit ar in twane ;
The bodye to ]>e wirmis kitching go,
The saull to fyre and evirlasting paine :
Quhat helpis than this caffe and guidis vaine,
Quhe« thow art put in luciferis bag,
And brocht to hell, and hangit be J?e craig ?
F. 302 a. Thir hide nettis For to p^rsawe and see,
This sorye caffe wyislye to vnderstand,
Best is be war in maist prosperitie,
For in J>is warld J>air is no thing lestand ;
Is na ma n waitt quhow la ng his stait will stand,
His lyfe will lest, nor how J?at he sail end
eftir his deid, nor quhidder he sail wend.
Pray we thairfore, quhill we ar in J>is lyffe,
For foure thingis : )>e first, Fra syn remowe;
The secund is to seift all weir and stryfe ;
The thrid is p^rfyte cheritye and lowe ;
The ferd thing is, and maist for owr behowe,
That is in blift with angellis to be fallow.
And thus endis ]>e preching of ]>e Suallow.
1 MS. ‘thus.’
Finis.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE COCK AND THE FOX.
243
THE FOX & THE COCK. 1
F. 310 b. ** I ''HOUCHT brutale bestis be Irrationale,
X That is to say, lakking discretioun,
3it ilk ane in thair kyndis naturale
Hes monye diuerft inclinatioun ;
The bair bustouft, the wolf, >e wyld lyo^n,
The fox fen^eit, crafty e and cautelouft,
The dog to berk in nycht and keip the houft.
So different thay bene in propirteis,
Vnknawin vnto man, and infynite,
In kynd haifand so fele diu^rsiteis,
My awmyng it excedis for to dyte ;
Forthy as now my purpois is to wryte
A caft I fand, quhilk fell this hinder ^ere,
Betuix a fox and gentill chanteclere.
A wedow duelt intill a drope thaj daift,
Quhilk wan hir fude w/tA spynniwg on hir rok
And no moir guidis, as }>e fable sais,
Except of hennis scho had a ioly flok ;
F. 31 1 a. And thame to kepe scho had a ioly cok,
Rycht curageouft, vnto Jus wedow ay
Deuidand nycht, crawand befoir J?e day.
1 Title in the margin in a later hand.
[bannatyne
5
10
*5
20
Digitized by L^ooQle
244
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
A lytill fra J>at foirsaid wedois houft,
A thorny schaw }?air was of grit defence,
Quhairin a fox, craftye and cawtelouft,
Maid his repair and day lie residence : 25
Quhilk to this wedow did grete violence,
In piking of hir pultry day and nycht,
And be no mene reuengit on him scho mycht.
This wily tod, quhen J?at )?e lark coud sing,
Full sare hungrye vnto ]>e toun him drest, 30
Quhair chanteclere into ]>e gray dawing,
Wery of nycht, was flowin fra his nest.
Lourence this saw, and in his mynd he kest
The Iup^teis, the way is, and }?e wile,
Be quhat menis he mycht ]>is cok begile. 35
Dissimuland thus in countenance and chere,
On knees fell, and smyland thus he said :
* Gude morne, my maister, gentill chanteclere ! *
WttA ]?at ]?e cok stert bakward in a braid :
* Schir, be my saull, $e neid nocAt be affraid, 40
Nor $it for me to drede, nor flee abak ;
I come bot here $ow service for to mak.
* Wald I nocht serve $ow, s chit, I wer to blame,
As I hawe done to 30ure progenitouris :
3our fader oft fulfillit hes my wame, 45
And send me mete fra middingis to )>e muro ;
At his ending I did my besy curis
To hald his hede and gife him drinkis warme ;
Syne at J>e last, that suete suelt in my arme/
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE COCK AND THE FOX.
24s
[bannatyne
‘ Knew thow my fader? ’ quod J?e cok, and leuch. 50
‘ 3 a, my fair sone, forsuth I held his hede,
quhen J?at he swelt vnder a birkyn beuch ;
Syne said ]>e dirige, quh en )?at he was dede.
Betuix ws twa how suld J?air be a fede ?
quhom suld 3e trest bot me, ^our seruitowr, 55
quMk to }our fader did sa grite honour ?
‘ Quh en I behald }our fetheris fair and gent,
3oure breste, }our beke, }our hekill, and }our came,
Schir, be my saule, 1 that blissit sacrament,
My hert warmys ; me think, I am at hame ; 60
3ow for to serve I wald crepe on my wame,
In frost and snaw, in wedms wan and wete,
And lay my lyart lokkis vnder 30 ur fete.’
This feynit fox, falft and dissimulate,
Maid to }?e cok a cauillatioun : 65
‘ Me think 30W changit and degenerate
Fra 30 ur fader and his conditioun ;
Off crafty crawing he myc^t bere ]>e croun,
For he wald on his tais stand and crawe ;
This is no lee ; I stude besyde and sawe.' 70
With J?at J?e cok, vpoun his tais hee,
Kest vp his beke, and sang with all his myafct.
Quod loure^ce than, ‘ now, sctiir, sa mot I thee,
3e ar %our faderis sone and air vp xycht ;
F. 311 b. Bot 3k 3e want of his cuwnyng [a] sUcht.' 75
‘ Quhat ? ’ quod J?e cok : — * he wald, and haif na dout,
Bayt^ wink and craw and tume him thryis about.'
1 See pp. 34, 35.
Digitized by L^ooQle
246
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
Thus inflate with ]>e wind of fals vaine gloir,
Quhiik puttis monye to confusioun,
Trestand to win a grit worschip J?^/rfore, 80
Wnwarlye winkand, walkit vp awd doun,
And syne to chant and craw he maid hint boun.
And suddawlie, or he had sung ane note,
The fox was war and hynt hi m be ]>e throte.
Syne to }?e schaw but tarye with hi m hyit, 85
Off countermaund haifand bot lytill dout.
With )?at sprowtok, partlot, 1 and coppok cryit ;
The wedow hard, and with a cry come out.
Seand ]>e caift, scho said 2 and gaif a schout :
‘ How, mwrthowr, reylock ! ' with a hiddeous beir, 90
‘ Alace ! hawe I now lost guid chawteclere ! *
As scho war wod, with monye ]$ell and cry,
Ryvand hir hair, vpoun hir breist caw bete,
Syne paill of hew, half in ane extasye,
Fel doun 8 for cair in swoniwg and in swete. 95
With }>at ]>e sillye hewnis left J>air mete,
And quhill }>is wyfe was lyawd thus in swoun,
Fell of }>at caift in disputatioun.
‘ Alace ! ’ quod partlot, makand sair murniwg,
With teiris grete attour hir chekis Fell,
‘ 3one was our drourye, and our day darling,
Oure nychtingale, and our horlage bell,
Oure walcryif weche, ws for to wame and tell,
quhew ]?at aurora, with hir curchis gray,
put vp hir hede betuix ]>e nycht and day. 4
1 MS. ‘coppok,* Cf. p. 247, 1. 123, and pp. 36, 3 7.
2 Cf. pp. 36, 37. 3 MS. ‘ Feldoun.* 4 MS. ‘and pe day.*
100
105
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE COCK AND THE FOX.
247
[bannatyne
1 Quha sail oure le#*mane be ? quha sail ws leid ?
Quhe« we ar sad, quha sail vnto ws sing ?
WVt^ his sweit bill he wald brek ws ]>e breid :
In all ]>is warld was )?air na kyndar thing ;
In paramowrw he wald do ws piesing no
At his power, as nature list him gyffe ;
Now eftir hi m, alace, how sail we lywe?’
Than sprowtok spak : ‘ seift sister of }our sorrow,
Je be to made for him ; sic murning maift ;
We sail fair weill ; I find, sanct Iohne to borrow, 115
The proverb 1 say is, “ as guid luif cu/rcis as gaift ” :
I will put on my hellye dayis clais,
And mak me fresch aganis ]>\s iolye may,
Syne chant Jns sang, “was nevir wedow so gay ! ”
‘ He was angrye and held ws in grete aw, 120
And woundit witA ]?e speir of ielosye ;
Off chaum^r glew, partlot, how weill $e knaw,
Waistit he was, of nature cald and drye.
Sen he is gone, ]>airf ore, sister, say I,
Be blyith in bale, for )?at is best remeid : 125
Lat quik to quik, and deid go to the deid/
Thus sprowtok, 2 )?at feyn3eit fayt^ befoir,
In luste but luif )?at sett all hir delyte, 2
‘ Syster, $e watte, of sic as hi m a scoir
May nocht 8 suffise to slak ^oz/r appetyte. 130
I hecht }ow be my hand, sen $e ar quyte,
Within a wolk, for schame and I durst speik,
To gett a berne could better claw 30 ur breke.’ 4
MS. ‘proverd.* 2 Cf. pp. 40, 41.
MS. ‘ May it nocht.’ Cf. pp. 40, 41. 4 MS. ‘beke.’ See pp. 40, 41.
Digitized by L^ooQle
248
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
F. 312 a. Than coppok lyke a curate spak full crouft :
‘ ^one was ane verrye wea«gea«ce fra ]>e hevin ; 135
He was sa loweouft and so licherouft ;
Seift coud he nocht with sissokkis 1 mo tha/z sevin ;
Bot rychtuous god, haldand ]>e balla/^/is 2 evin,
Smytis full soir, thocht he be patient,
Adulteraris )?at list >ame nocht repent. 140
‘ Prydefull he was, and ioyit of his syn,
And comptit now ] nr of goddis falvoztf nor feid,
Bot traistit ay to rax and sa furth rin,
Till at ]>e last his synnis could hi m leid
To schamefull end, and to $one suddane deid; 145
Thairfore I wait it was ]>e hand of god
That causit him be wirreit with ]>e tod.*
Quhe« ]>is was said, ]>e wedow fra hir swoun
Stert vp in haist, and on hir ke^nattis cryid,
‘How! birkye, 8 burrye, bell, balsye broun, 150
Rypeschaw, ryn weill, courteft, cutt, and clyid,
Togidder all but gru^cheing furth $e glyid !
Reskew my nobill cok, or he be slane,
Or ellis to me se $e cum nevir agane/
With }?at, but bade, [)?ay] breddit our ]>e bent ; 155
As fyre of flynt ]?ay 4 our )>e feildis flaw,
Wichtlye, I wift, throw woddis and watteris we«t,
And seissit nocht ftzr lourewce till thay saw.
Bot quhe« he saw ]>e raches cum on raw,
Vnto J>e cok he said in mynde, ‘ god then 5 160
Sen 5 I and thow wer liftit in my den.’
1 Enclosed thus in MS. sissokis | . See pp. 40, 41.
2 MS. ‘ ballaneis. 5 8 Cf. pp. 40, 41.
4 MS. * Jjat.’ 5 See pp. 42, 43.
Digitized by L^OOQle
THE COCK AND THE FOX.
249
[bannatyne
Than spak J?e cok, with sum guid spreit i«spyrit,
‘ Do my counsale, and I sail warrand the ;
Hungrie thow art, and for grit travell tyrit,
Rycht fant of force and may nocht forder flee : 165
Swyith tume agane, and say, }?at I and }e
Freindis ar maid and fallowis for a ^eir ;
Than will J>aj stynt, I stand for it, and nocht stein*
This fox, thocht he was fals and friuelouft,
And hes fraudis his quarrell/j to defend, 170
Dissauit was throw mynis marvellous ;
For falsheid fail^eis at latter end.
He tumit about and cryit as he was kend ;
Wzt^ ]?at J?e cok brade vnto a buche.
Now reid }e sail quhaix at ftfr lowrence luche. 175
Begylit thus, }?e tod vnder a tree
On knees fell, and said, ‘ gude cha^teclere,
Cum doun agane, and I, but mete or fee,
Salbe ^oux ma.n and servand for ane jeir.*
‘Nay, mwrther theif and rivere, stand on reir; 180
My bludye hekkill and my nek so bla
Hes pairtit lowe for evir betwene ws twa.
‘ I was vnwyis )?at winkit at thy will,
Quhairthrow allmaist I lossit had my held.*
‘ I was moir full/ quod he, ‘ coud nocht be still, 185
But spake to put my pray vnto pleid.*
‘ Fair on, fals theif, god keip me fra thy feid ! *
With ]?at ]?e coke our feildis tuke )?e flicht ;
In at ]?e wedowis lewar coud he licht.
Digitized by L^ooQle
250
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
Moralitas.
F. 312 b. Now, worthy folk, suppois this be a fable, 190
And ourhelit wit h typis figurall,
3it may $e find a sentence rycht greabill,
Vnder )?e fen^eit termys textuall.
Till oure purpois J?is cok wele may we call
Pryd. A nyce proud man, void and vanegloriouS 195
Off kyn or gude, qu/iilk is presumptuous.
Fy ! pompouS pryd, thow art rycht poysonable,
Quha fauouris the of force ma n haue a fall.
Thy strenth is noe^t, thy stule standis vnstable.
Tak witneS of J>e feindis infemall, 200
Quhilk huntit war doun fro }>e hevinly [h]all
To hellis hole, and to ]?at hidous houS,
Becaus of pryde }?aj war presuznptuouS.
This feynit fox may wele be figurate
To flatteraris with plesand wirdis quhite, 205
With fals menyng and mouth mellifluate,
To loife and lee qu/ii\k settis )?air delyte.
All worthy folk at sic suld hafe dispyte ;
For quhair is moir perilous pestilence
Than giff to liaris haistelye credence? 210
Flattery. This wikkit wind of adulatioun,
Off swete socour haifand a similitude,
Bittir of gall and full of fell poysoun,
Quha tastis it and clerelye vnderstude.
Forthy as now schortly for to conclude, 215
Thir twa synnis, flattery and vaine glore,
Ar venemouS : guid folk, fie }?ame \air[ ore.
Digi-tized by L^ooQle
THE FOX AND THE WOLF.
251
. [bannatyne
THE FOX & THE WOLF . 1
L EWE we this wedow gled, I }ow assure,
Off chawteclere more blyith thaw I caw tell,
And speke we of ]>e fatal a venture
And destenye that to J»is fox befell,
That durst no more witA miching intennell, 5
Als lang as leme and lycht was of ]>e day,
But, bydand nycht, full still lurkand he lay ;
Quhill J»at Thetes, >e goddesft of )?e flude,
Phebus had callit to ]?e herberye, 2
And Esperus put of his cloudy hude, 10
Schawand his lustye visage in }?e skye.
Than lourewce lukit vp, quhare he coud lye,
And kest him hand vpoun his Ee on h'icht,
Mery and gled J>at cuwzmyn was )>e nycht.
Out of ]?e wod vnto ane hill he went, 15
Quhare he mycht se the twynkling stemis clere,
And all ]?e planetis of J?e firmamewt,
Thair coursis and ]?air moving in J?air sphere,
Sum retrograde, and sum war stationere ;
And in ]?e ^odyak in quhit degree 20
Thaj were ilkane, as lourawce lerit me.
Title in the margin in a later hand. 2 MS. ‘herverye.’
Digitized by L^ooQle
252
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
Than saturne aide was enterit in capricome,
And Iupiter movit in sigittarye,
And mars vp in ]>e rawmys hede was borne,
And phebus in )>e lyoun furth coud carye ; 25
Venus the crab, the mone was in aquarye ;
Mercurius, J?e god of eloquence,
Into ]>e virgine maid his residence.
Bot astrolab, quadrant, or almanak,
Techit of nature be instructioun, 30
F. 313 a. The moving of the hevin this tod ca# tak,
quhat influence and cowstillatioun
Was lyk to fall vpone this erd heir doun ;
and to him self he said, w/t^outtin mair,
‘Weill worth J>e fadir, )?at send me first to lair. 35
‘ My destany and eik my werd I watt ;
Myn evintour is cleirly to me kend ;
Wit/i mischeif myn}et is my mortall fait ;
My mysleving the soner bot I mend :
Deid is reward of syn and schamefull end. 40
Thairfoir I will ga seik sum <w/fessowr,
And scryfe me clene of all sy«nis to this hour.
‘ allace ! 1 quod he, ‘ xychx. [waryit ar l ] we thevis ;
our lyfe is sett ilk ny^t in avinture ;
our cursit craft full mony ane mischevis ; 45
for evir we steill, & evir alyk ar pure :
In dreid and schame our day is we indure ;
and widdy nek and crakraip callit als,
and syne till our hyre ar ha«git be the hals.*
1 See pp. 50, 51.
Digitized by L^OOQle
THE FOX AND THE WOLF.
253
[bannatyne
Accusand thus his cankerit conscience, 50
Vnto a craig he kest about his E ;
So saw he cuwand a littill than frorae thence,
A worthy doctor of diui«/te,
Freir wolf waitskath, in science wondrouft sle,
To preche and pray was new cum of clostir, 55
WitA beid/V on ha«d, saya/zd his paternoster.
Seand the wolf, this wylie tratowr tod
on kneis fell, mtA hud in to his nek :
‘ welcome, my gaistly fadir vndir god ! ’
quod he, with mony binge and mony bek. 60
Than quod the wolf, ‘ sc Air fox, to quhat effek
mak $e sic feir ? ryft vp, put on 50 ur hude.’
‘fad ir,* quod he, ‘I haif grit cauft to dude.
‘ 3e ar the lanterne and the sicker way,
Suld gyd sic sympill folk as me to grace ; 65
%otcr bairfeit, and $our [rjousett 1 coull of gray,
3o«r lene cheik/r, jour paill and petouft face,
Schawis full weill $our perfyt halynace ; 2
for weill war him ]>at anis in his lyfe
had hap to 30W his sywnis anis to schryfe.’ 70
‘ a, silly lowra«ce,’ quod the wolf, and lewch :
‘ it plesft me \at $e ar penitent.’
‘ of reif and stowth, scAir , I can tell e«newch,
]>at causft me full sair for till repent ;
Bot, fadir, byd still heir on this bent, 75
I 50 w beseik, and heir me now declair
my C0«scie«ce J?at prik/V me so sair.’
1 Cf. pp. 50, 51.
2 Lines 67 and 68 are transposed in the MS. Cf. pp. 50, 51.
Digitized by L^ooQle
254
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
‘ Weill/ quod the wolf, ‘ sit doun vpone thy kne.’
and so he did, bairheid, full huwly,
and syn bega# with benedicite. 80
quhe« I thus saw, I drew a littill by,
for it effeiris nowdir to heir nor spy,
nor to reweill thing said vndir that sele :
bot to J?e tod thus gait J>e wolf couth 1 mele.
‘Art thow co^treit & sory in thy spreit 85
for thy trespas ? ’ ‘nay, schir, I can nocht dude :
me think ]>at he^nis ar sua hony sueit,
& la^bis flesch ]?at new ar lattin blud ;
F. 313 b. For to repent my mynd can nocht conclude,
bot this thing, ]?at I haif slane so few.’ 90
‘ weill,’ quod the wolf, ‘ in south thow art a schrew.
‘ Sen thow can nocht forthink thy wicketnaift,
Will thow forbeir in tyme cuwing, & me«d ? ’
‘ and I forbeir, how sail I leif, allaift,
haifand na v)?ir craft me to defend ? 95
neid causft me to steill quhaix evir I wend.
I schame to beg, I can nocht wirk, }e wat,
$it wald I fane pretend a geatill stait.’
‘ Weill,’ quod the wolf, ‘ thow wa^tis pontis twa,
belangand to p eriyt co^fessioun. 100
Now to J?e thrid pa/rte of pe«na«ce lat ws ga :
Will thow tak pane for thy tra/zsgressioun ? ’
* A, schir, consedir my cowplexioun,
And seikly and waik & of my natur te#dir,
Lo, will ^e se, I am baith lene and sklendir. 105
1 MS. ‘qV
Digitized by L^OOQle
THE FOX AND THE WOLF.
255
[bannatyne
‘ Jit nevir the les, I wald, sa it wer lycht,
and schort, nocfa grevand to my tendirneft,
tak pairte of pane, fulfill it gife I micht,
To sett my silly saule in way of grace.*
‘Thow sail forbeir,* quod he, ‘ flesche hyne to paift, no
To tame Jn corft, that cursit carioun ;
and heir I reik the full remissioun.*
‘ I grant ]?airto, sa $e will gife me leif
to eit puddingis, or laip a littill blude,
or heid and feit, or penchis lat me preif, 115
In caift I faut of flesche in to my fude.*
‘for grit mister, I gife the leif to dude
twyft in ]?e owlk, for neid may haif no law.*
‘god ^eild 30 w, schir, for that text full weill ye 1 knaw.’
Quhe« this was said, the wolf his wayis went. 120
The fox in fute he fure vnto ]>e flude —
To fang sum fische wes hellely his intent ;
Bot quhe« he saw thir walterand 2 wawis wode,
all stoneist still into a stair he stude,
and said, ‘bettir ]>at I had biddin at hame, 125
Tha« be a fischar in the deuillw name.
‘ Now mon I skraip my meit out of the sand,
for I haif nowdir net, bottis, nor bate.*
as he wes thus for fait of meit murnand,
lukand about his leving for to late, 8 130
vndir a tre he saw a trip of gate ;
Than wes he fane, & in a huche him hid,
and fra the gait he stall a littill kid.
1 See pp. 54, 55. 2 See ib. 8 See pp. 56, 57.
Digitized by L^ooQle
256
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
Syne our the huche vnto J?e se him hyis,
and tuk the kid rycht be the hornis twane,
and in ]>e wattir owj nr twyft or thryft
he dowkit him, & thus gait cowt^ he sane :
‘ ga doun schir kid, cum vp schir salmound agane ! ’
quhill he wes deid ; syne to ]>e lazzd him drewch,
and of J>at new made salmond eit ezznewch.
Thus fynaly fillit wztfc tendir meit,
vnto a den for dreid he hes him drest,
vndir a busk, quhair )?at the sone cowtfc beit,
F. 314a . To beke his breist and bellye he thocht best;
And rakleslye he said, quhair he coud rest,
Strakand his wambe agane Jus sonnes hete,
‘ Vpoun this bellye ware sett a bolt full mete/
Quhen this was said, the kepare of )>e gayte,
Carefull in hert his kid was stollin away,
On everye syde full warlye culd he wayte,
Till at ]>e last he saw quhair: lowrence lay ;
His bow he bent, a flane wzt^ fedderis gray
He hailit to J?e heid ; or evir he sterd,
The fox fast he prikkit to ]>e erd.
‘Now/ quod J?e fox, ‘alace and welloway !
Gorrit I am and may no forther gane 1 ;
Methink no man may speke a word in play,
Bot now on dayis in ernist it is tane/
The hird him hynt, and out he drew a flane ;
And for his kid and vj >ir violence,
He tuke his skyn, and maid a recowpence.
1 Cf. pp. 58, 59.
Digitized by
Google
13s
140
145
150
155
160
THE FOX AND THE WOLF.
257
[bannatyne
Moralitas. This suddane deid and vnprouisit end
Off this fals tod, without contritioun,
' Exemple is exhortand folk to mend,
For dreid of sic alyke conclusioun ; 165
For monye gois now to confessioun
Can nocht repent, nor for J>air synnis greit,
Becaus thaj think )?air lustye lyfe so sweit.
Sum bene also, throw consuetude and vyce,
Vincust with camall sensualitie ; 170
Suppose thaj be as for ]?e tyme contryte,
Can nane forbere, nor fra thair synnis Flee :
Ws[e] drawis nature so in propertie
Off beist and ma«, }?at nedis thaj mon do,
as thai of lang tyme hawe hantit }>ame to. 175
Beware, guid folk, and dreid this suddane schote,
Quhilk smytis soir withouttin resistence ;
attent wyislye, and in 30 uv hartis note,
aganis deid may ho ma« mak defence ;
Ceift of jour syn, remord lour conscience, 180
Do wilfull pennaace here, and $e sail wend,
Eftir lour deid, to ioy withouttin end.
Explicit exemplum veritatis et falsitatis.
VOL. II.
R
Digitized by L^ooQle
258
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
THE FOX TRYED BEFORE THE LYON. 1
T HIS foirsaid fox, thus deid for his misdede,
had nocht a sone was gottin rychtuuslye,
That to his airschip myc/it of law succede,
Except ane sone, the qw^/lk in lemanrye 2
He gottin had in purchace priuely, 5
And to his name was clepit fader were,
That lufit wele wttA pultry tig and tere.
It followis wele be reasoun naturale,
And gree be gree of rycht comparisoun,
Off evill cuwmys war, of ware cuwmys warst of all, 10
Off wrawgus get cu#*mys wra«g successioun.
This fox, bastard of generatioun,
Off verrye kynd behufit to be fals ;
So was his grantsc/for and his fader als.
F.314A As nature will, sekand his fude be sent, 15
Off caift he fand his faderis caryon,
Naikit, new slane ; and till him is he went,
Tuke vp his hede, syne on his kneis Fel doun,
Thankand grete god of >at conclusioun ;
And said, ‘now sail I brouk, sen I am aire, 20
The boundis quhare he wont was to repaire. ,
1 Title in the margin in later hand. 8 MS. ‘ lenanrye.’
Digitized by L^OOQle
THE TRIAL OF THE FOX.
259
[bannatyne
Fy ! covetous, vnkynd and venemous :
The sone was fayn he fand his fader dede,
Be sudane schote for dedeis 1 odious,
That he mycht rax and regne into his stede, 2 5
Dredand nothing ]?at sami« lyife to lede,
In stouth and reif, as he had done before ;
Bot to )>e end entent he tuke no more.
3it, nevir]?eles, for faderlye pitee,
The caryon vpoun his bak he tais : 30
* Now find I wele ]>is prou^rbe trew,’ quod he,
* “ Ay rynnis ]?e fox als lang as he fut hais.” ’
Syne with his cors vnto a petpot gais,
Off watere full, and kest him in J>e depe,
And to J>e devill his banis gave to kepe. 35
O fulich* maji ! ploungit in warldlynes,
To conquest wrawgwift guid is, gold, or rent,
To put thy saule in pane and hevynes,
To riche thyne air, qufiilk efti r )?ow be went,
Haue he thy gude, he takis small entent 40
To sing or say for thy saluatioun :
Fra thow be dede, done is thy deuotioun.
This tod to rest he carit to a crag,
And herd a bustouB bugill brymly blawe,
Quhilk, as him thoc^t, maid all )>is warld to wag. 45
Than stert 1 2 wp, and cu*wand nere 1 2 sawe
Ane vnicome semely lansand our lawe,
Wit/i home in hand, and buste on brest he bure,
A pursevant semelye, I 30W assure.
1 MS. ‘dede is.* 2 Cf. pp. 62, 63.
Digitized by L^ooQle
26 o
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
Vnto a bank, quhair he mycAt se about
On euerye syde, In haste he coud him hye,
Put furth his voce full loud, and gave a schout,
And, ‘ oyas ! oyas ! ’ twift or thrift coud cry.
With J?at the best is in ]>e feildis nere by,
All mmiailand quhat sic a cry suld mene,
Govand 1 agast, thaj gadderit on a grene.
Out of his buste a bill sone coud he braide,
And red J»e text w/t^outtyn tarying ;
Co/nmaundand silence, sadly thus he said :
‘We, noble lyoun, of all beistis king,
Greting to god ay lestand but ending,
To brutall bestis and Irrationall,
I send, as to my subiectis grete and small.
‘ My celsitude and hie magnificence,
Lattis $ow witt furthwft^ incontinent,
Thinkis to mome, w/t A riall diligence,
Vpoun J?is hill to hald a parliament ;
Straitlye J?a/rfore I geve coznmandiment
For to con/peir before my tribunall,
Vnder all pane and parrell )?at may fall . 9
The morowing come, and phebus witA his bemys
Consumit had }>e my sty cloudis gray ;
F. 315 a. The ground was grene, and as J?e gold it glemys,
With gresis growand gudelie, grete, and gay ;
The spice than spred to spring on eu^ry spray ;
The lark, ]>e mauift, and ]>e merle so hee,
Suetlye can sing, trippand 1 fra tree to tree.
1 Cf. pp. 64, 65.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE TRIAL OF THE FOX.
26l
[bannatyne
Thre leopardis come, a croun 1 of massy gold
Berand thaj brocht vnto )?at hillis hicht,
With iaspis iunyt and riall rubies rold, 80
And monye diu^rft dyamaatis wele dicht ;
With pollis proud a pal^own doun J?aj picht ;
And in IpaX trone thair sat a wild lyoan,
In rob riale, with ceptur, suerd, and croun.
Efter ]?e tennowr of crye before, 85
That gais on fut all bestis in )>e erd, 2
Rycht as ]?aj ware co/rcma^dit wft^out more,
Before J>air lord ]?e lyon )?aj comperd ;
And quhat }>aj ware, as tod laurence me lerd,
I sail reherft a pairt of ewery kynd, 90
Als far as now occurris to my mynd.
The menataur, a monstour m<?rvelouft,
Bellorophant, that beist of bastarde,
The warwolf, and ]>e pegaft peroluft,
Transformit be assent of socerre, 95
The lynx, the tegir full of tyrrane,
The oliphant, and eik the dromodare,
The camell with his cran craig furth culd care.
The leopard, as I haif taute befome,
The antelop, the sparth furth culd hir speid, 100
The paynttit panther, & the vnicorne ;
The raynder ran throuch rever, ron, and reid,
The Iolye Ionet, and the gentill steid,
The aift, the mwll, the horft of ewerye kynd ;
The de, the re, the hornit hairt, the hynd. 105
1 MS. ‘craun.’ 2 Cf. pp. 66, 67.
Digitized by L^ooQle
262
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
The bull, the beir, the bugill, and ]>e bair,
The wodwyft, wildcat, & the wild wolfyne,
The hard-bak hurtchoun, and the hyrpilland hair,
Bayth ottour, aip, and pennytt porcapyne,
The guckit gait, the syllye scheip, the Suyne, no
The bau*r bakon, and the bathfrand brok,
The fumard, with ]?e fyber furth culd flok.
The gay 1 grwhund, the sleuthhund furth can slyd,
With doggis all dyuerfi and deferent ;
The rattoun ran, the globert furth culd glyd, 115
The quherland quhithrat with ]>e wasyll wentt,
The fythow that hes furrit mony ane fent,
The martryk, with ]?e cunyng & the con,
The lurdane lane, 1 & eik the lerion.
F. 315 b. The mermissat the modewart could leid, 120
Becaus that natoar denyit had hir sycAt
Thus dressit ]?ai all furtA for dreid of deid,
The musk, the litill mowft witA all hir mycAt
In haist haykit vnto ]>at hillis hycAt ;
And mony ane kynd of beist )>at I nocAt knaw, 125
Befoir ]?air lord Ilkane }?ai lowtit law.
Seand thir beistis at his bidding bown,
He gave a braid e, and blenkit all about ;
Than flatling/V to his feit J?ai fell all doun,
For dreid of deid thay drowpit all in dout. 130
The lyoun lukit quhen he saw ]?ame lout,
And bad )?ai m y w ixh ane countenance full sweit,
‘ Be no^t afferit, bot stand vpoun 30 ux feit.
1 Cf. pp. 68, 69.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE TRIAL OF THE FOX.
263
[bannatyne
‘ I lat 3011 wit my mycfa is m^rceabill,
And steris none pat ar to me prostrat, 135
Angrye, austeme, and als vnameabill,
To all pat standis aganis myne estait.
I rug, I ryve all beistis pat mak/j debait
Aganis pe mycftt of my magnefecence :
Se none pretend to pryde in my presence. 140
‘ My celsitude and my hie maiestye
With myc/it and m^rcye myngit salbe ay ;
The lawest heir I may ryr^t sone vp hie,
And mak him maister ouer 30U all I may.
The dromadair, gif he will mak deray, 145
Or the greit cameill, thoc/it pai be neuir sa crouft,
I can pame law as litill as ane mowft,
‘ Se neir be xxty mylis qutiair I am
The kid ga salflie be pe wolf syde ;
Se tod lowrye luke nocht vpoun pe lamb, 150
Na revand beistis nowther ryn nor ryde.*
Thay cucheit all ; and, tiiir pis wes cryd,
The iustice bad anone pe court do fenft,
The sutis call, and foirfalt all absenft.
The panthere, with his payntit coit of armour, 155
fen sit pe court, as he of law efferit ;
Tod laure^ce lukit vp quhatr he could lowr,
and stert on fute, all stoneist, and all sterit ;
Ryvand his hair, he rarit w/t^ a reird,
Quakand for dreid, and 1 sichand could he say, 160
* Allace pis hoar, allace pis wofull day !
1 MS. ‘ran.’ Cf. pp. 70, 71.
Digitized by L^ooQle
264
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
f. 316a. ‘ I wait this suddane semblay pat I se,
havand pe poyntis of a parliament,
Is maid to mar sic misdoam as me ;
Thairfoir, and I me schaw, I wilbe schent ; 165
1 wilbe socht gif I be red absent ;
To byde or fle it makis no remeid ;
all is alyke, pair followis noc/it bot deid.'
Perplexit thus in to his mynd can mene
wit h falsheid quhow he my^t him self defend ; 170
his hude he drew far doun attoar his ene,
and, wynkand wit^ pe ane E, furt^ ca n wend ;
clyncheand he come, pat he suld no cht be kend,
and for dreddoar pat he suld thoill areist, 1
he playit bukhud anone, fra beist to beist. 175
2 Compering thus pai 3 come befoir the king,
in ordo#r sett as to pair stait efferit,
Off euery e kynd he gart ane pa/rt furth bring,
and awfulye he spak, and at pame speirit
gif pair wis ony beist in to pis erd 180
Absent, and pair gart paiff* all deiplie sweir ;
And pai said, ‘Nay, except ane gray stude meir. 1
‘ Go, mak ane message sone vnto pat stude.’
The court pan cryit, ‘ My lord, quha sail pat be ? ’
‘Cum heir, lowrye, lurkand vndir ane hude.’ 185
‘ A lord m^rcye ! lo, I have bot ane E ;
Hurt in pe hanch, and crukit 3e may se ;
The wolf is bettir in anbassadrye,
and mair cunning in clergy e pa n V
1 MS. ‘areist.’
2 Two stanzas of Charteris and Harl. here omitted (see pp. 72, 73).
3 MS. ‘he.’
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE TRIAL OF THE FOX.
265
[bannatyne
Braiding he said, ‘ go furt^, 3e bryboarw* bayt^ ! ’ 190
And J>ai to ga w/t^outin tareying.
Our ron and ryce )?ai raw togidd^r rayt^,
And fand ]?e meir at meit in ]?e momiwg.
* how/ quod the tod, ‘ Madame, go to ]?e king,
The court is callit, and 3e ar contumax . 7 195
* Lat be, laurewce, ]our carping & 3o«r knax/
* Maistres/ quod the tod, ‘ to )?e court 3e mon ;
The lyoun hes rtwzmandit 30U in deid/
‘ Laurewce, tak 30U ]?e flirdome, & J?e fon,
I have a respit heir, and 3e will rede. 1 200
c I can nocht spell a word, sa god me speid !
Heir is J?e wolf, a nobill clerk at all,
And of ]>is message he is principall.
‘ He is autentik, and a man of aige,
And hes ]>e practik of }?e chawcellary ; 205
Lat him ga luke and reid y>ux praiilege,
And I sail stand, and beir 30U witnes by/
* Quhaix is 3o«r respit ? ’ quod J?e wolf in hy.
‘ S/r, It is heir, vndir my hoife weill hid/
* Hald vp 30 ux hele/ quod he ; and sa scho did. 210
Thoflfct he wes brynt throuch pryde, ^it he pr^sumis
To luke doun law, quhaix pat ]>ix Uttxes lay.
F. 316 b, Vfith that ]?e mere scho gird him on )?e gumys,
And strake ]?e hattrell of his hede away.
Half out of lyfe, lenand doun he lay : 215
* Alace ! * quod lourence, ‘ lupus, pat pow art lost/
‘ His cownyng/ quod pe mere, ‘ was wirth sum cost.
Digitized by L^ooQle
266
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
‘ Lourans, will thow nocht luke vpoun my letter,
Sen J?at ]>e wolf J?airof can nothing wyn ? *
* Nay, be sanct bryde,* quod he, ‘ me think far better
To slepe in hele and in ane vnhurt skyn.
A scroll I fand, and thus writtin J?#mn,
— for v ft I wald nocht anys faltum 1 —
“ Felix qu tm faciu/zt aliena pericula cautum.” \
With brokin skalp, and bludye chekis rede,
This wolf wepand on his way is went,
Off his mayn3e m^rkand to gete remede ;
To tell J>e king the caift was his entent.
‘ Schir,’ quod ]>c tod, * bid still vpoun ]?e bent,
And fra }our browis wesche away J?e blude,
And tak a drink, for it will do 30W gude.’
To fecfc water this fraudfull fox furth fure,
Sidlingis a bauk 2 he socht vnto a sike ;
Off caift he metis, cu/»and fra J?e mure,
A trip of lawbis dan sand on a dike.
This traytozn: tod, this tyran, and this tike,
The fattest of ]>e flok he fellit has,
And ete his fill ; syne to J?e wolf he gais.
Thay drank but tary, and thare Ioumay takis ;
Befoir J?e king syne knelit on thare knee.
1 Quhare is >e mere, s chit tod, was contumax ? 1
Than loura«ce said : * my lord, spere nocht at me !
This new maid doctor* of diuinitee,
With his rede cap, ca n tell 30W wele yneuch.*
With J?at ]?e lyon and J?e lave >aj leuch.
1 See pp. 76, 77. 2 See pp. 78, 79.
Digitized by
Google
220
225
230
235
240
245
THE TRIAL OF THE FOX.
267
[bannatyne
* Tell on the caift, sckir loure^ce, lat ws here.*
* This witty wolf, this noble clerk of aige,
On $our behalf he bad ]>e mere compere,
And scho ailegit till a preuilege —
“Cum nere and se, and 3e sail have }our va ge.” 250
Becauft he red hir respit plane and wele,
3 one rede ba«nete scho raucht him wttA hir hele/
The lyoan said, ‘ be }one rede cap I ken
This tale is trew, quha tent vnto it takis ;
The grettest clerkis ar nocAt ]?e wyftest m cn; 255
A mamiis hurt ane other happy makis/
As ]?aj ware carpand thusgatis in knak/V,
And all J>e court in garray and in gam,
Sa come the 30W, J?e moder of ]?e lam.
Before ]?e iustice doun on knees Fell, 260
Put furth hir playnt on ]?is wift wofullye :
c This harlot here, this hursoun hund of hell,
He werryit hes my lam full doggitlye,
WftAin a myle, in contrare 1 of 30 ur cry.
For goddis lufe, my lord, gif me J?e lawe 265
Off ]ris lyomiar/ witA ]?at loure«ce lete drawe.
F. 317a. ‘Bide/ quod the lyon, * lewmar, lat ws se
GifF this be suytA J?e sely 30W has said/
* A, sou^rane lord, sauf }our mercy, 9 quod he,
* My purpois was wzt^ him bot to have plaid ; 270
Cauftles he fell, as he had bene affraid ;
For drede of dede he duschit our a dike,
And brak his nek/ ‘thow leis,’ quod scho, ‘fals tike !
1 MS. ‘incontrare/
Digitized by L^ooQle
268
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
* His dede be practik may be previt eth :
Thy gorry gomys and thy bludy snowt, 275
The woll, ]?e flesche }it stikkis in thy teth,
And that is euident eneuch, but dout.’
The iustice bad go cheift a sift a bout ;
And so thaj did, and fand J?at he was fals,
Off murthoar, thift, and party tresown als. 280
Thaj band him fast, the Iustice bad belyve
To geve J?e dome, and tak of all his clathis ;
The wolf, that new maid doctowr, coud him shryve ;
Syne furth w/t£ him vnto )?e gallowis gais,
And at ]>e ledder fute his leue he tais ; 285
The ape was basare, and bad him sone ascend,
And hangit him ; and thus he maid ane end.
Moralitas.i Rycht as )?e mynoure in his mynorall
Faire gold w/t£ fyre may fra ]>e lede wele wyn,
Rycht sa vnder a fable figurall 290
A sad sentence may seke, and efter fyn*,
As daylie dois thir doctouris of dyvyn<r,
Apertly be oure leving can applye,
And preue thare preching be a poesye.
The lyon is this warld be liklynace, 295
To quhom lowtis baytfc empr/our and king,
And thinkis of this warld to get mare grace,
And gapis for to get mare lifing ;
Sum for to reule, and sum to rax and regne,
Sum gaddtfris gere, sum gold, sum vther gude ; 300
To wyn this warld sum wirkis as ]?aj wer wode.
1 Cf. this text with the texts on pp. 82-85, with which Hart is in general
agreement
Digitized by LaOOQle
THE TRIAL OF THE FOX.
269
[bannatyne
This mere is men of contewplatioun,
Off penna«ce walkand in }?is wild*mace,
As monkis and othir men of religioun,
That presis god to pleift in eu*ry place ; 305
Abstrackit fra this warldlis wretchidnes,
In wilfull pou*rtee, fra pomp and all pryde,
And fra this warld in mynd ar mortifyde.
This wolf I likkin vnto sensualitee,
As quhen, like brutall bestis, we accord 310
Our mynd all to J?is warldeis vanitee,
Liking to tak and love him as our lord :
Flee fast J>airfra, gif ]>ow will ry^t remord ;
Than sail reasoun rift, rax, and regne,
And for thy saull J>air is no better thing. 315
Hir hufe 1 I likkin to J?e thocht of dede.
Will thow remembere , ma«, that thow ma n dee ?
F. 317 b. Thow may brek sensualiteis hede,
And fleschlye lust away fra ]>e sail flee ;
Wift Salomon* sais, will thow nocht see, 320
For as thow may thy sely saull now wyn*,
‘Think on thine end, thow sail nocfit gladlye syn.’
This tod I likin to temptatioun,
Berand to mynd monye thochtis vane,
That daylie sagis men of religioun, 325
Cryand to J?ame, 1 Cum to ]>e warld agane ! 3
Bot quhe« thaj see sensualitie neir slane,
And sudane dede with ithand panis sore,
He gois abak, and temptis him no more.
1 MS. ‘lufe.’
Digitized by L^ooQle
270
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
0 lord etemall, medeator for ws mast meke, 330
Sitt doun before thy fader celestiall, 1
For ws synnaris his celsitude beseke,
Ws to defend fra payne and p^rallis all ;
And help ws vp vnto J?at hevinlye hall,
In glore, quhair we may se )>e sycht of god. — 335
And thus endis ]>e talking of ]>e tod.
Explicit.
THE COCK & pE IEWELL.
Prolog.
F.326A 'HnHOCtfT fen^eit fables of auld poetre
-L Be no^t grundit all vpoun trewtA, }it tha n
Thair poleit termis of sueit retory
ar xycht olesand vnto the heir of ma n ;
and als ]?e cauft quhi thay first began 5
Was to repreife ]>e vyce of mysdoing
of ma n, be fegour of ane \\ir thing.
In lyk maner as throw a bustvows 2 erd,
So it be lawborit wit h grit diligence,
Springis ]?e flouris and )?e cornis brerd 10
hailsum and gud to mams sustenence,
So springis pair a morall sueit sentence
out of ]>e scitell dyt of poetre,
To gud purpoift, quha culd it ryc/it aply.
1 In the MS. the lines —
O mary myld, mediatowr of mercy meke,
Sitt doun before thy sone celestiall,
have been stroked out, and those in the text written in above in the same hand.
2 MS. indistinct. Cf. pp. 2, 3, 223.
Digitized by LjOOQle
THE COCK AND THE JEWEL (PROLOGUE). 27 1
[bannatyne
Thir nutis schell/x, thocAt J?ai be hard and tuich, 15
F.32 7 a. Thay hald ]>e cimall sueit and delectable :
So lyis ]?air a doctryne wyse anewch,
and full of fruct vndir a fen^eit fable.
als clerks sayis, it is rychi proffitable
Amang emyst to myng a mirry sport, 20
To blyt^ >e spreit, and gar j?e tyme be schort.
For as we se ]?e bow J>at ay is bent
Wordis vnsmart and dullis on J?e string,
So dois ]?e mynd }?at is ay diligent
In emyst thocAt and in studdeing : 2 5
WitA sad materis sum mirrineft to myng
Accordis weill ; thus Isop, I wift,
‘ Dulcius arrident seria picta Iocis. ,
Off J?is poyet, my masteris, witA $our leife —
I me deffer to $our correctioun — 30
In moder tong of latyne I wald preife
To mak a maner of translatioun ;
No^t of my self for vane presumptioun,
Bot be requeist and prayeris of a lord,
off quhome J>e name it neid .is nocAt record. 35
In hamely langage and in termis rud
me neid is wryt, For quhy of eloquence
no[r] rethory I neuir vndirstud.
Thairfoir meikly I pray $our reuerens,
Gife $e fynd ocht ]>at throw my negligence 40
Or diminut, or ^it superfluys,
Correct at 3our will/J gracius.
Digitized by L^ooQle
272
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
Myne auctour in his fable tell/r how 1
J>at brutall beistis spak and vndirstud,
and till gud purpoift disput and argow, 45
a sylogysme propone, and eik exclud ;
putting 2 axa;wple and symilitude,
how mony mew in operatioun
ar lyk to beistis in ]?air cowditioun.
No m^rvell is a maw be lyk a beist, 50
Quhilk leivis ay in carnall fowll delyte ;
That schame caw noctit deren^e nor arreist,
Bot takis all ]?air lust and appetyt,
Quhilk throw }?e custome and ]?e dayly ryte
F. 327 Syn in J?e mynd is sa fast radicat 55
That he in brutall beist be trawsformat.
This noble clerk ysop, as I haif towld,
In gay metir facound and purperat,
Be fegour wret his buk, for he nocht wowld
Tak ]?e disdane of he nor law estate. 60
And to begyn, first at a cok he wrate,
Seikand his meit, quhilk fand a Ioly stone,
Off quhome )?e fable $e sail heir awnone.
A COK, sumtyme, w*t h fethreme fresch and gay, 8
rychx. cant and crouft, suppoift he was bot pure, 65
Flew furt^ at a doun[g]hill sone be day ;
To get his denner sett was all his cure :
Screpand amang ]>e aft, be auenture
He fand a Ioly Iasp, ry^t pretiouft,
Was castin furth in suowpyne of J?e houft. 70
1 MS. * fow. J 2 Cf. pp. 4, 5. 8 MS. ‘gray.*
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE COCK AND THE JEWEL.
273
[bannatyne
As mady«is wantoun and insolent,
That fane wald play, and on J>e streit be sene,
To swopyne of J>e houft tak/j no tent,
Quhat be ]?airin swa ]?at J?e flure be clene ;
Iowalis ar tynt, as oft tymes hes bene, 75
And in J?e swowpyne is castin furt^ annone —
P^rauentour, swa waft J?e sam yn stone.
Swa nwrvelland vpone J?e stone, quod he,
‘ o gentill gem ! o riche and noble thing !
Thoflfct I }?e fynd, thow ganis wockt for me ; 80
Thow art a Iowall for ony warldly king.
It war pety thow suld in this midding
be bvrit thus among J?is mvk and mwd,
and thow so deir and worth so mekle gude.
‘ It is pety I suld ]?e fynd, for quhy 85
Thy grit vertew, nor ^it thy cullowr cleir,
I may nowJ?/> extoll nor magnify ;
And thow to me ma mak bot littill cheir.
F. 328 a. To grit lord/V thor^t thow be leif and deir,
I lawfe fer bettir thing of left awaill, 90
as cafe, or corne, to fill my tome entrell.
‘ I had leuir go skraip heir v/itA my nailis
among ]?is moll, and luk my lyvis fude,
as come, or drafe, small worme, or [sjnaillis,
or ony meit wald do my stomok gude, 95
nor of Iespis a mekle multitude :
and thow agane, vpoun }>e samy n wyift,
may me as now for thyne awaill dispyift.
VOL. II. S
Digitized by L^ooQle
274
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
‘ Thow hes no come, and pairof I had neid ;
Thy cullour dois bot comfort to J?e sicht, 100
and ]?at is noc/it awnwch my wame to feid ;
For wyse me« sayis ]?at lukand wark was lycht.
[ ]1 .
for hungry men may nocAt weill leif on loikis :
had I dry breid, I keipit nocht no kokis. 105
Quhair suld thow mak ]>\ tributatioun 2 ?
quhair suld thow dwell, bot in a ryall tour?
quhair suld thow sit, bot one a kingis croun,
exalt in wirchep and in gret honour ?
ryft, gentill Iaspis, of all stonis J?e flour, no
out of )>is aft, and paft quhair thow suld be ;
Thow ganis no^t for me, nor I for the/
Levand this Iowall full law vpone ]>e ground,
To seik sum meit this cok his wayis went ;
Bot quhen, or quhair, or quhow it was found, 115
As now I sit to hold no argument :
Bot of ]>e inwart sentence and intent
of ]?is fable, as myne awtour dois wit, 2
I sail reherft in rude and hamely dyt.
Moralite. This Ioly Iasp hes prop^rteis sevin : 120
The first, of coWouris it is m^rvellouft,
Pfl/rte lyk )>e fyre, and pairte is lyk ]>e hevin,
And mak is a ma n stark and victorius ;
P^eservis als fra caisft p^rrellouft :
Quha hes this stone sail haif gud hap to spej#, 125
off fyre nor fal Us him neidis no^t to dreid.
1 The line is omitted in Bannatyne. See pp. 8, 9, 226.
2 See pp. 10, 11, 227.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE COCK AND THE JEWEL.
275
[bannatyne
f. 328 b. This gentill Iesp, oft different in hew,
Betakinis p^rfyt prudens and cu»ny«g,
ornat with mony deidw of vertew,
moir excelland tha« ony erdly thing, 130
Quhilk makis men in honour ay to ring,
Happy, and stark to haif }>e victory
Off all vicis and sprituall ennemy.
Quha may be rycht hardy and gratious ?
Quha can enschew p^rrell and aventure? 135
Quha ca n gowern citie and burchgus
Without science ? non, I $ow ensure.
It is J?e riches }?at evir sail indure,
Quhilk motht, nor mwst, may nochi rwst nor ket, 1
and to ma»is sawll it is eUmall met 140
This cok, desyring moir ]>e symple come
Thane ony Iasp, onto J?e fule is peir,
makand at science bot a knak and skorne,
Quhilk ca n no gud, and als littill will leir ;
his hairt wamill/V gud argume^tis till heir, 145
As to 1 J?e sow, to quhome men for the nons
In hir drafe troch wald saw ]>e pretius stons.
Quha is emierny to science & cuwnywg
Bot ignorawtis ]>at vndirstandis no^t ?
Quhilk is so noble, pretius, and ding 150
That may nocht with no erdly thing be bocht.
Weill war ]>e man of all v]rir, J?at mocht
all his lyfe dayis in p^rfyte study war
To get science ; for him nedit no mair.
1 See pp. 12, 13, 228.
Digitized by L^ooQle
276
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
Bot now, allaift, this Iasp is tynt and hid : 155
We seik it nocht, nor preisft it to find.
haif we riches, no bettir lyfe we bid,
off science thocht J?e saull be bair and blind.
of Jus mat er I do bot waistis wind,
Thairfoir I seift, and will no forder say : 160
go seik the jasp quha list, for ]?air it lay.
Explicit : quod mr R. H.
THE MOUSS AND THE PADDOCK. 1
V PONE a tyme, as ysop ca n report,
A littill mouft come till a rever syd ;
Scho mycht no^t waid, hir schankis wer so schort ;
Scho cowt^ nocht sowme, s[ch]o had no horft till ryd :
off verry forft behuvit hir to byd, 5
and to and fro vpone }?at rever deip
Scho ra#, cryand with mony peteuft peip.
* Help our, help our,’ the silly mowft ca# cry,
1 For godis lufe, sum body our this bryme.’
With ]?at a paddok, on )>e wattir by, 10
put vp hir heid, and on ]?e bank cowt^ clyme,
quhilk be natur gow th dowk and gaylie swyme ;
With voce full rawk, scho said on this maneir :
‘Gud morne, deme mowft, quhat is }our era#d heir?*
1 Title in the margin in a later hand.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE PADDOCK AND THE MOUSE.
277
[bannatyne
‘ Seis thow/ quod scho, c of come 3one Ioly flat, 1 5
of ryp aids, of beir, of peift, and quheit ?
I am hungry, and fane wald be >airat,
Bot I am stoppit heir be this wattir greit ;
And on J?is syd I get no thing till eit
Bot hard nutis, quhilk w/tfc my teith I boir. 20
War I be3ond, my feist wald be J?e moir.
* I haif no boit ; heir is no mareneir ;
And thocht thair ware, I haif no frawcht to pay/
Quod scho, ‘ sistir, lat be $our havy cheir ;
Do my counsall, and I sail fynd the way 25
W/t^owttin horft, brig, boit, or $it gallay,
To bring 30W our saifly — be noc/it affeird ! —
And noc/it to weit ]>e cam pis of }out beird/
‘ I haif m^nrell tha#/ quod ]?e silly mowft,
* How thow can fleit w/t^out feddir or fyn. 30
The reuer is so deip and dengerouft,
Me think J?at thow suld drowin to wed J>airin.
Tell me, J?airfoir, quhat faculty or gyn
Thow hes to bring me our }>is wattir wan/
That to declair the paddok thus began. 35
* With my twa feit/ quod scho, c lukkin and braid,
In steid of airis, I row >e streme full still ;
Suppoift J>e bruk be p<?rrellus to waid,
Baith to and fro I swyme at my awin will.
I may nooAt droun, for quhy myne oppin gill 40
. 329 b. Devoydis ay the watter I ressaif ;
Thairfoir to droun forsuth no dreid I haif/
Digitized by L^ooQle
278
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
The mowfi beheld onto her fronsyt face,
Hir runclit beik, and hir lippis syd,
Hir hyngand Browis, and hir voce so hace, 45
Hir logrand leggis, and hir harsky hyd.
Scho ran abak, and on }>e paddok cryd :
‘ gife I ca n any skeill of fysnomy,
Thow hes sum pairte of frawd and als invy.
‘ For clerkis sayis ]?e inclinatioun 50
of ma«is thoMt p^rsavis coatfmounly
eftir ]>e corporall complexioun
Till gud or yll, as natur will apply :
A frawart will, a thrawin phisnomy.
The auld proverb is witneft of this Lorum : 55
“ Distortum vultum sequitur distortio morum .” 9
* Na,’ quod the taid, * >at proverb is nocfa trew ;
for fair thingis oft tymes ar fowll fakin.
Thir bla berryis, tho^t thay be blak of hew,
Ar gaddrit vp quhe« pruwroft is forsakin. 60
The face may faill to be J?e hairtis taikin.
Thairfoir I fynd in scriptowr in a place :
Thow suld no^t iuge a ma« eftir his face.
* Thoc/fct I vnlusty be to luk vpone,
I haif no wyt quhy suld I lakkit be ; 65
War I als fare as ioly absalone,
I am no^t causar of }>at grit bewte.
This differetfs in forme and qualite
Almychty god hes cawsit dame nature
To prent and set in every creature. 70
Digitized by L^OOQle
THE PADDOCK AND THE MOUSE.
279
[bannatyne
‘ Off sum ]>e face may be ryc/it flurisand,
Wt'tA silkin tong and cheir most amorus,
Wt'tA mynd inconstant, fals, and variand,
Full of dissait and menys cautelus/
‘ Lat be preching/ q uod }?e hungry mouft, 75
* And be quhat craft thow gar me vndirsta^d
how thow wald gyd me to ]>e ^ondir land.*
F. 330 a . ‘Thow wait/ q uod scho, ‘a body ]?at hes neid
To help J?ame selff suld mony wayis cast ;
Thairfoir go tak a dowble twy^nit threid, 80
And bind J?i leg to myne with knotis fast.
I sail the leir to swyme — be nocAt agast ! ’
* Is J?at J>i counsale/ q uod }>e silly mouft ;
‘To preif ]?at play it wer our p^rrellouft.
‘ Suld I be bund and fast quhair I am fre, 85
In howp of help, nay tha« eschrew ws baith,
For I myc^t loft both lyfe and libertie.
Gife it wer sa, quha my^t ame/zd my skaith ?
Bot gife thow sueir to me ]>e murthowr aith
But frawd or gyle, to bring me our this flude 90
But hurt or harme * quod scho, ‘in faith, I dude/
Scho golkit vp, and to }>e hevin ca« cry :
* How, Iupiter, of natur god and king,
I mak ane aith to the trewly, that I
This littill mouft sail our J?e wattir bring/ 95
This aith was maid ; this mouft, but p<?rsawing
of fals ingyne of this fals crabit 1 taid,
Tuk threid and band hir leg, as scho hir bad.
1 See p. 212.
Digitized by
Google
280
THE FABLES.
BANNATYNE]
Than fute for fute thay lap baith in ]?e brime ;
Bot in ]?air my^d thay wer xycht different : ioo
The mowft thoeht na thing bot to fleit and swyme,
The padok for to slay set hir intent.
quhe« J>ai in mydwart of the streme wer we«t,
With all hir forft ]?e paddok dowkit doun,
and thocht the mouft without mercy to droun. 105
Persevand this, the mouft on hir gan cry :
‘trato^r to god, and ma/zswome onto 1 me,
Thow swoir ]>e murthowr aith, saifly )?at I,
But hanue or hurt, suld ferreid be & fre ; *
And quhe« scho saw J?air waft bot do or dy, no
Scho bowtit vp.and foirsit hir to swyme,
and preisit on J>e taid/j bak to clyme.
The dreid of deid hir stre^this gave increft,
and fandit hir defend wit£ mony mane.
The mowft vpwart, the paddok doun can preft; 115
Quhile to, quhile fra, quhile dowk, quhile vp agane.
F. 330 b. This silly mouft, this plungit in grit pane,
ca# fecht als lang as breth wes in hir breist,
Till at ]?e last scho cry it for a preist.
Sichand thus gait, a gled sat on a twist, 120
And to ]>is wrechit battell tuk gud heid ;
And with a wisk, or owJ>ir of ]?ame wist,
he claucht his cluke betuene >ame in the threid ;
Syne to J>e land he flew with }>ame gud speid,
fane of ]?at fang, pypand with mony pew; 125
Syne lowsit ]?ame, and bayt^ but pety slew.
1 MS. ‘on to/
Digitized by
Google
THE PADDOCK AND THE MOUSE.
281
[bannatyne
Syne bowellit \ ame, >at bowchir witA his bill,
And bellyflawcht full fetly he J?ame flaid ;
Bot baith ]?air flesche wald skant be half a fill,
And gutis als, vnto ]?at gredy gled. 130
off J?air debait thus quhe« I ha[r]d 1 owt red,
he tuk his flicht, and our J>e feild/> he flaw :
gife ]ris be trew, speir $e at J>ame ]?at saw.
Moralitas. My brother, gif thow will tak aduertens
Till ]?is fable, thow may p^rsaif and se, 135
It pasft far alkynd of pestilens,
a wicket mynd witA wirdis fair and sle.
Be war ]?airfoir, quhome witA ]?ow followis 2 the ;
for thow war bettir beir of stone )?e barrow,
of sueitand ding, and delffe quhill thow may dre, 140
na be machit witA a wicket marrow.
A fals intent vndir a fare pretence
hes cawsit mony innocentis to de.
Grit folly is pairf oir to gife credence
our sone to all J?at speikis fair to the. 145
a silkin tong, a hairt of crewelte,
Smytis mair soir tha« ony schot of arrow.
Brudir, gif thow be vyift, I rid the fie
To mache the wit A a frawart fen^eit marrow.
I wame the als, it is grit negligence 150
To bind J>e fast quhair thow was frank & fre ;
fra thow be bund, thow may mak na defens
To saif thy lyfe, or $it in libertie. 8
This semple counsale, bruder, tak at me,
and it to cwn p^rqueir se nocht thow tarrow, 155
Bettir but stryfe to leif allone in le
Tha« to be machit w/t A a wicket marrow.
1 See pp. 214, 215. 2 Cf. pp. 214, 215. Hart, * fellowes bee.’
3 See pp. 216, 217.
Digitized by L^ooQle
282
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
This hald in mynd : }it moir I sail the tell
Quhat by ]?ir beistis may be figurat.
F. 331a. This paddok, vsand in this flud to dwell, 160
Is mams body, swma/zd air and lait
Into this warld, w/tfc cairis implicat,
Now he, now law, quhyle plungit vp and doun,
Ay in to p^rrell, and redy for to droun.
Now dolorus, now blyt^ as bird on breir;
Now in fredome, now wardit in distreft ;
Now haill, now sound, now deid and brocht on beir;
Now pure as lob, now rowand in richeft ;
Now gowins gay, now brattis to Imbraft ;
Now full as fysche, now hungry as a hound ;
Now on J?e quheill, now wappit to ]?e ground.
This littill mouft, thus knet hard be ]>e chin,
the saule of ma n betakin may indeid 1 ;
Bundin, and fra J?e body may nocAt twin,
Quhill crewall deid cum brek of lyfe the threid ; 175
The quhilk to droun suld evir stand in dreid,
of camall lust be ]>e suggestioun
quhilk drawis ay ]>e saule, ay and haldis doun.
The waltir is ]?e warld, ay walterand
Wit h mony wayift of tribulatioun, 180
In quhilk J>e saule and body ay waverand
standis distinyt in 2 \air opinioun ;
The spreit vpwart, >e body preisft doun :
The natur of J?e saule wald our be borne
out of this warld vnto J?e hevinly trone. 185
1 MS. * in deid/ 2 MS. ‘and/ Cf. p. 219.
165
170
Digitized by L^OOQle
THE TWO MICE.
283
[bannatyne
This gled is deid, J>at cuwis suddanly,
As dois ]?e theif, and endis this battell.
be vegeland \airi oir, and ay reddy,
for mams lyfe is brukle & mortall :
My freind, J?airfoir, mak the a strang castell 190
of gud deidis ; for deid will the assay,
Thow wait nocht quhe«, at evin, morne, nor midday.
Adew, my freind ; and gife >at ony speiris
of this fable so schortly I conclude,
Thow say, I left the laif onto >e freiris, 195
To mak a sample or similitud.
Now chryst for ws J>at deit on the rud,
of saule and lyf as thow art saluiour,
Grant ws to paft in till a blissit hour.
Explicit : quod mr. R. H.
THE TWA MYSS. 1
F. 331 b . T SOP, myne autour, makis mentioun
X of twa myft, and thay war sisteris deir,
off quhome ]?e elder dwelt in a borrowis toun,
The ^ungir wend vp on land, weill neir,
ry^t solitar, quhyle vndir busk and breir, 5
quhyle in ]?e come, in v]?ir mems schecht,
as outlawis dois and levis on }?air wacht.
1 Title in the margin in a later hand.
Digitized by L^ooQle
284
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
The rurall mouft in to J?e winter tyd
Had hungir, cauld, and tholit grit distres.
The tojrir mouft ]?at in }>e burgh can byd 10
Was gilt bru]?er and maid ane fre burgeft ;
Tolefre alswa, but custome mair and left,
and fredome had to ga quhair eu^r scho list,
Amang the cheift and meill in ark and kist.
A tyme quhe« scho wes full and on fute sair, 1 5
Scho tuk in mynd hir sistir vp on land,
and langit for hir cheir and hir weilfair,
and se quhat lyfe scho led vndir the wand :
Bairfute, allone, with pyk-staff in hir hand,
as pure pilgrem scho passit out of toun, 20
To seik hir sister baith our daill and doun.
Throw mony wilsum wayis cwt^ scho walk,
Throwc^t mure and moft, thxowcht bank, busk, and brayre,
fra fur to fur, crya«d fra balk to balk,
‘Cum furtA to me, myne sueit sister deir; 25
Cry peip an is ! 9 with \ at ]?e mowft quod heir,
and knew hir voce, as ky^nis me« will do,
be verry kynd ; and furt^ scho come hir to.
The hairtly cheir, lord god, gife $e had sene !
Was kyid quhe/z ]?ir sisteris twa wer met ; 30
Quhilk J?at oft syift was schawin ]?ame betwene,
For quhyle J?ai luche, and quhyle for Ioy thay gret,
quhyle kissit sueit, and quhyle in armis plet ;
and thus thay fure, qu fa'll sobirt wes \air meid,
Syne fute for fute onto J>air chalmer }eid. 35
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE TWO MICE.
285
[bannatyne
As I hard say, it wes a seraple wane,
off fog and fame full maisterlig was maid,
a silly scheill vndir a erdfast stane,
F. 332 a. Off quhilk J?e entre wes no^t he nor braid ;
and in ]>e samy n than went but mair abaid, 40
W/t^outtin fyre or candill burna^d bricht,
For commonly sic pykeris luvis nocAt licht.
Quhen thay wer lugit thus, thir silly myft,
The ^ungast sister vntill hir burtre hyid,
Brocfa furt h nuttis and peift in steid of spyft ; 45
Gife J >air was weilfair, doit on thame besyd.
This burges mouft, prwwmgit 1 full of pryd,
and said, ‘ sistir, is this $our daly fude ? ’
c quhy nocht. ? 9 quod scho, ‘think $e this meift nocht gude ? '
‘ Na, be my saule, me think it bot a skorne.' 50
‘ Madame/ quod scho, ‘ 3e be the moir to blame ;
My moder said, eftir >at we wer borne,
That $e and I lay baith w/t^in hir wame :
I keip the ryt and custome of my deme,
And of my fcAsr, levand in pou^rtie, 55
For landis haif we none of propirtie.’
* My fair sistir/ quod scho, ‘ haif me excusit,
This mde dyet and I can noc/it accord ;
Till tendir meit my stomok ay is wsit,
For quhy I fair als weill as ony lord ; 60
Thir widderit peift and nutis, or J?ai be bord,
Will brek my teith, and mak my teith full sklendir,
quhilk vsit wer befoir to metis tendir.'
1 MS. very indistinct : see pp. 16, 17.
Digitized by L^ooQle
286
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
* Weill, weill, sistir/ tha n quod }>e rurall mouft,
* Gife it 30W pleift, sic thing as se heir,
baith meit and drink, herbery and houft,
salbe $our awin, will $e remane all ^eir ;
5e sail it haif with blyt^ and hairtly cheir,
That suld mak the meisft ]?at ar rude,
Amawg freindz>, rycht tendir sueit and gude.
‘ Quhat plesans is in feistis delicat,
The quhilk ar gevin with a glowmawd brow ?
a gewtill hairt is bettir recreat
With blyt^ visage thaw sethe to him a cow :
A modicum is moir for till allow,
Sa J>at gud will be carver at ]>e deft,
Thaw thrawin vilt and mony spysit meft/
For all this mery exortatioun,
F.332^. This burges mouft had littill will to sing;
Bot hevely scho kest hir visage doun,
for all hir denteis scho cowt^ till hir bring.
3it at ]?e last scho said, half in hething,
* Sistir, this wittell and ^our ryell feist
May weill suffyift for sic a rurall beist.
* Lat be this hole, and cum vnto my place ;
I sail jow schaw be gude experience
My gud fryday is bettir nor }our pase ;
My dische likking is wirth $our haill expens.
I haif housft anew of grit defenft ;
of cat, na fall, na trap 1 I haif no dreid/
* I grant/ quod scho, and on togeider 2 jeid.
1 Cf. pp. 20, 21. 2 MS. * to geider.’
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE TWO MICE.
287
[bannatyne
In skugry ay, throw rankest girft and come,
And wondir sly, full preuely cwt^ thay creip ;
The eldest was the gyd and went befome,
The hunger till hir wayis tuke grit keip. 95
on nycht thay ra#, and on ]?e day can sleip ;
quhill in a mom y«g, or ]?e laverok sang,
Thay fand ]?e toun, and in blyt^ly cow th gang.
Nooht fer fra thyne on till a worthy wane,
This burges bro^t thame sone quhair thay suld be ; 100
Without god speid thair harbery wes tane
In till a spens w/bfc vitall of grit plentie ;
baytfc cheift and butter vpone skelffis he,
With fische and flesche e^nuche, baith fresch and salt,
And sekkis full of groitis, baith meill & malt. 105
Eftir quhe« J>ai disposit wer to dyne,
W/bfcouttin grace thay wesche and we«t to meit,
With all curis ]?at cukis ca« dewyne,
Motone and beif strikin in tel^eis greit ;
a lordis fair thus ca# thay counterfeit, 1 1 o
Except a thing, thay dra#k J?e watt/r cleir
In steid of wyne, bot $it thay maid gud cheir.
With blyt^ vpcast and mery co«tena«s,
The eldir sistir sperit at hir gest,
Gife ]?at scho thocht be ressoun differans 115
Betuix J?at chalmer and hir sary nest.
‘ 3it deme/ quod scho, ‘ bot how long will J?is lest? 1
‘ for evirmoir, I wait, and langir to*
1 Gif it be trew, ^e ar at eift,’ quod scho.
Digitized by LjOOQle
288
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
Till eik >e cheir the surfcjharg 1 fuxth scho brocht, 120
F. 333 a. A plait of groitis and a dische of meill ;
Threfe caikis, I trow, scho sparit r\ockt
haboundawtly about hir for to deill ;
furmag* full fyne scho brocht in steid of geill ;
A quhyt ca«dill out of a coffer stall, 125
In steid of spyce to cresch thair teithis with all.
Thus maid thay mirry quhile thay mycht no mair,
And, * haill ^ule, haill ! } thay cryit vp on he.
Bot eftir Ioy oftymis cu/wis cair,
And truble eftir gret prosperite. 130
Thus as thay sat in all J>air iolite, 2
The spens come in with keis in his hand,
Oppinit the dur, and thame at denner fand.
Thay tareit no^t to wesche, as I suppoift,
bot on to go quha mycht formest win. 135
The burges had a hoill, and in scho gois ;
hir sistir had no place to hyd hir in :
To se ]?at silly mouft it wes grit syn,
To dussalait and will of all gud reid ;
For verry dreid scho fell in swoun neir deid. 140
Bot as god wald, it fell a happy caift :
The spensar had no laisar for to byd,
Nowdir to serft, to seik, nor char, no[r] chaift,
Bot on he went, and kest the dur vp wyd.
This [bald 8 ] burges his passage weill hes spyd ; 145
Out of hir hoill scho come and cryit on he,
4 how fair sistir ? cry peip, quhaix evir thow be ! *
1 Cf. pp. 22, 23. 2 MS. ‘ solite.’ 8 See pp. 24, 25, 324.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE TWO MICE.
289
[bannatyne
This rurall mouft lay flatlingis on J>e ground,
And for the deid scho wes full [sair 1 ] dreidand,
For till her hairt straik mony wofull stound, 150
As in a fewer trym\\t fute and hand ;
And quha/* hir sistir in sic plyt hir fand,
For very pety scho began to greit,
Syne confortit hir witA wirdis as huny sueit.
‘ Quhy ly ^e thus ? ryft vp my sistir deir, 155
cum till ^our meit, this p^rell is ourpast.*
The toJ?/> anft^rit wit A a hevy cheir,
‘ I may no^At eit, so soir I am agast ;
I had levir thir fourty dayis fast,
W/tA wattir caill, or gnaw benis or peift, 160
Than all $our feist in }?is dred & diseift.’
. 333 With fair trety $it gart scho hir 2 ryft ;
To burd thay went and on togidder sat ;
And skantly had thay drunkin anis or twyft,
quhe» in come 8 gib huntar, our Ioly cat, 165
and bad god speid : the burges vp with that,
and till hir 4 hoill scho fled as fyre of flynt :
Bawdronis >e to}?ir be the bak scho 5 hint.
Fra fute to fute scho 5 kest hir to and fra,
quhyle vp, quhyle doun, als tait as ony kid ; 170
quhyle wald scho 5 lat hir ryn vndir the stra,
quhyle wald scho 5 wynk and play with hir bukhid.
Thus to ]?e silly mouft grit harme scho did,
quhyle at J>e last, throw fair fortoun and hap,
Betuix J>e dressour and the wall scho crap. 175
1 Cf. pp. 24, 25, 324. 2 MS. * him.’ 3 MS. ‘income.’
4 MS. ‘his.* 5 Cf. pp. 26, 27, and p. 290, 1. 179.
VOL. II. T
Digitized by L^ooQle
290
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
Syne vp in haist behind }>e p^rraling
So he scho clam, ]?at gilbert mycht nocAt get hir,
and be the clukis craftely ca# hing,
Till he wes gone, hir cheir wes all ]>e bettir.
Syne doun scho lap quhe/* ]?air wes nane to let hir; 180
Than on J>e burges mowft lowd cowtfc scho cry,
* Fair weill, sistir, heir I thy feist defy.
* Thy matfgery is my«git all mtA cair,
Thy guft is gud, thy ganesall sour as gall ;
The subcharge 1 of thy ft/ruice is bot sair ; 185
So sail thow find heireftirwart may fall.
I tha«k }one courtyne and ^one parpane wall
of my defenft now fra $one crewell beist.
almichty god keip me fra sic a feist !
‘War I in to J?e place }?at [I] come fro, 190
For weill nor wo I suld nevir cum agane.*
WitA J?at scho tuke hir leif and furtfc can go,
quhyle throw ]>e come, & quhylis throw J>e plane ;
Quhe« scho was furtA and fre, scho was rycAt fane,
and m/rrely m^rkit vnto ]?e mvre : 195
I ca# nocAt tell how eftirwart scho fure.
Bot I hard say scho passit to hir den,
als warme as wow, suppoift it wes nocAt greit,
Full beynly stuft, bayth but and ben,
F.334 a . Off peift, and nutis, ben is, ry, and quheit; 200
Quhen evir scho list scho had e«nuche till eit,
In quiet and eift, wft^outtin dreid ;
Bot till hir sisteris feist no moir scho ^eid.
1 MS. ? ‘sachngis,* or ? ‘ fach[i]ngis.’ But cf. pp. 26, 27 ; also p. 325.
Digitized by
Google
THE TWO MICE.
29I
Moralitas.
[bannatyne
F REINDIS, heir may find, will tak heid,
In this fable a gud moralitie ; 205
as fitschis my«git ar with noble seid,
So intermellit is aduersitie
With erdly ioy; so }>at no stait is fre
Without truble or sum vexatioun ;
and namely thay that clywis vp most he, 210
and nocht content of small possessioun.
Blissit be symple lyfe w/t^outtin dreid,
Blissit be sobir feist in quiete ;
quha hes e#nuche, of no moir hes he neid,
Thocht it be littill in to quantete. 215
Grit habounda^ce and blind prosperite
oft tymis mak/V ane evill cowclusioun ;
The suetest lyfe, ]?airfoir, in J?is cuntre
Is of sickemeft, with small possessioun.
O wantoun ma n ! quhilk vsis for to feid 220
Thy wame, and makis it a god to be,
Luke to J?i self ; I warne the weill on deid,
The cat cuwis, and to ]>e mouft hewis E :
Quhat dois awaill thy feist and ryelte,
With dreidfull hairt and tribulatioun ? 225
Thairfoir best thing in erd, I say, for me,
Is mirry hairt, with small possessioun.
Thy awin fyre, freind, thocht it be bot a gleid,
It warmis weill, and is worth gold to the ;
And salamone say is, and $e will reid, 230
‘ Vndir ]?e hevin I can noc& bettir se
Tha n ay be blyth and leif in honeste/
Quhairfoir I may conclud be this ressoun :
Off erdly Ioy it beiris most degre,
Blythness in hairt, w/hfc small possessioun. 235
Explicit : q uod ffir. R. H.
Digitized by
Google
292
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
THE DOG PE SCHEIP & pE WOLFF . 1
I SOPE a taill putis in memorie,
How ]?at a dog, becauft J>at he wes pure,
F. 3340. Callit a scheip vnto }?e consistory,
a certane breid of him for to recure,
a frawdfull [wolf] was luge }?at tyme, and bure
auctoritie and Iurisdictioun,
and on )?e scheip send furt^ a strait suwmoun.
For by ]>e vse, and courft, of cowmoun style
on this maner maid his sitatioun :
* I, vaaister wolf, pairtles of frawd or gyle,
Vndir J>e panis of suspentioun,
and gret cursing, and intmlictioun,
Schir scheip, I chairge J?e straitly to cowpeir,
and ansueir till a dog befoir me heir/
Sckir corby rawin was maid ap^ritour , 2
quhilk pyket hes full mony schepis E ;
his chairge hes tane, and on the lettir bure ;
Sowmond the scheip befoir ]>e wolf, )>at he
p<?remptourly, within the dayis thre,
Compeir vndir the panis in this bill,
And heir quhat burry dog wald say him till.
1 Title in the margin in a later hand. 2 MS. ‘a pmtour/
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE SHEEP AND THE DOG.
293
[bannatyne
This sowmond maid befoir witneft e«new,
The revin has till his office weill affeird,
endorsit hes his writ, and on he flew ;
The silly scheip durst lay no mowth till erd, 25
Till scho befoir }?at awfull iuge apperd,
be hour of cauft, quhilk >at court vsit thane,
Quhen esperus to schaw his face began.
The fox wes clerk and notar in )?at cauft ;
The gled, the grip, vp at }?e bar cowt^ stand ; 30
as aduocatis expert in to the lawis,
The doigis ply togiddir tuk on hand,
quhilk wer confident stret in to an e band,
Agane the scheip to procure the sen tens ;
Tho^vfct it wer fals, thay haif no conscience. 35
The clerk callit the scheip, and he wes thair ;
The aduocattis on this wyft ca« propone :
* A certane breid, worth fyve schillingis and mair,
Thow aw this dog, [of] quhilk the terme is gone/
F. 33s a. Of his 1 awin heid, but aduocat, allone, 40
Awysitly gaif an&uer in that caift :
‘ heir I declyne the iuge, the tyme, and place.
i This is my caus and motive in effect ;
The law sayis, it is xycht perelouft
Till interply befoir a iuge suspect ; 45
and thow, fk&r wolf, hes ay bene odius
To me ; with thyne tuskis revenus
hes slane full mony ky«nisme« of myne ;
Thairfoir, as juge suspect, I the declyne.
1 MS. ‘hir.’
Digitized by L^ooQle
294
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
‘And schortly, of this court the me*nberis all, 50
bayth assesso^r/V, clerke, and aduocat,
To me and myne ar ennemeis immortall,
and ay hes bene, as mony scheiphird watt ;
This place, as for the tyme, is feriat,
In quhilk no iugeis suld sit in consistory, 55
So lait at evin, I 30 w accuft for thy.*
Quhen )?at ]>e iuge on this wyse wes accusit,
he bad the pfl/rteis cheift, witA one assent,
Twa arbitOKr/V, as in the law is vsit,
For to dissyd and gife arbitrament, 60
quhiddir the scheip suld byd in iugement
Befoir the wolf ; and swa thay did but weir,
of quhome J>e names eftir ^e sail heir.
The beir, the brok, this mater tuk on hand,
For to dissyd gife this exceptioun 65
Wes of na strenth, or lawfully mycht stand ;
And ]*«rvpoun, as iugeis thay sat doun,
And held a lang quhyle disputatioun,
Seikand full mony decretal^ of the law,
And glosis als, J?e veritie to knaw. 70
Of sewall 1 mony volum thay rewoll,
The codyft and degestis new and aid ;
prowe and contra, strait argument thay resoll,
Sum a doctryne, and sum a nojw 2 hald ;
For pry ft, nor prayer, trow $e thay wald fald? 75
F. 335 b. Bot held J>e text and gloift of the decreift,
as trew iugeis ; I schrew }?ame J?at leift.
1 Cf. pp. 90, 91. 2 MS. ‘
Digitized by ^.ooQle
THE SHEEP AND THE DOG.
29s
[bannatyne
Schortly to mak ane end of this debait,
The arbitrowm su*nmar and plane
The sentens gaif, and proceft fulminat : 80
The scheip suld paft befoir }>e wolf agane
And end his pleid : than was he no thing fane,
For fra }>air sentens he mycAt no wayift appeill.
on clerkis doid, gife this sentence be leill.
The scheip agane befoir >e wolf deren^eit, 85
but advocat, abasitly can stand.
Vpraift the dog, and on the scheip thus plen3eit :
‘ To the a sowme I pay it befoir hand
For certane breid ;* thairto a borch he 1 fand,
That wrangusly the scheip held fra him breid ; 90
And he denyit ; and so began the pleid.
Thus quhen the scheip this stryfe had contestat,
The Iugeis into >e cauft furt^ cowt^ proceid ;
Lawrence the actis and proces wrait,
And sone the ply vnto >e end thay speid. 95
This cursit court, corruptit all for meid,
Agane gud fayt^, gud law and conscience,
For this fals dog pronuncit the sentence.
And it to put in executioun,
The wolf chairgeit ]?e scheip, w/t^out delay, 100
Vndir J?e pane of interdictioun,
The sowme of siluer, or the breid, to pay.
Off this sentens, allaift, quhat sail we say,
quhilk danspnit hes the silly innocent,
and institut to wranguft iugement ? 105
1 MS. ‘I.*
Digitized by
Google
296
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
The scheip, dreidand moir p^rsecutioun,
obeyit the sentence, and cowth tak
his way vntill a m^chand in ]>e toun,
And said his fleift )>at he bur on his bak ;
Syne bocht the breid, and to J?e dog can mak no
reddy payment, as he foiriugeit waft ;
Nakit and bair syne to ]>e feild cowt^ paft.
Moralitas.
npHIS silly scheip may present the figure
JL of pure cotf/mownis, ]>at daylie ar opprest
Be tirrane men, ]>at settis all ]>air cure 115
'With fals menys to mak a wrang co«queist,
In howp this present lyfe sail evir lest ;
Bot all begyld thay will in schort tyme end,
And eftir deid to crewall panis wend.
This wolf I likin vnto a ftiref stout, 120
quhilk byis a forfait at the kingis hand,
And hes with him a cursit assyift about,
And dytis all J?e pure me« vp of land,
And fra ]>e crown er lay on thame his wand,
Suppoift he be als trew as was sanct Iohine, 125
Slane sail thay be, or with the iuge cowpone.
This revin I likin till a fals crownar,
quhilk hes a porteouft of the endytme«t,
And pasft furt h befoir the iustice air,
All misdoaris to bring till Iugemewt; 130
Bot luke gife he be of a trew intent,
To skraip out Iohine, and wryt in will, or wate,
and so a bud at bayt^ J?e pa/Vteis skat.
Digitized by
Google
THE SHEEP AND THE DOG.
297
[bannatyne
Off this fals tod, becauft I spak befoir,
And of this gled, quhat thay mycht signify, 135
Off J>air natur, as now I speik no moir ;
Bot of the scheip and of his cairfull cry
I sail reherft ; for as I passit by
quhair )>at he lay, on caift he lukit doun,
and hard him mak this lamentatioun : 140
* Allace, ’ quodhe, ‘this cursit consistory,
In middis now of wintir it is maid,
quhe# boreas, with blastis bittirly,
With frawart frostis, the flouris doun can faid ;
On bank/V bair now may I mak no baid.’ 145
And with )>at wird in till a coif he crap,
fra hair weddir and frostis him to hap.
Quakand for cald, and mwrnywgis soir amang,
Kest vp his ene vnto ]?e hevinis hicht,
F. 336 And said : ‘ o lord, quhy slypis thow so lang? 150
Walk, and desceme my cauft, groundit in richt :
Luk how I am, be frawd, maistry, and slyest,
pelit full bair : 9 and so is mony one
Now in this warld, rycht wondir, wo begone.
Se how ]>e cursit syn of cuvatyft, 155
Exylit hes bayth lufe, lawty, and law.
Now few or nane will execute iustice,
In fait of quhome the pure man is ourthraw.
The verity, albeid J?e iuge knaw,
Thay 1 ar so blindit with affectioun, 160
But dreid, for meid, thay thoill J?e rycht go doun.
1 Cf. pp. 96, 97.
Digitized by L^ooQle
298
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
Se thow nochty lord, this warld ourturnit is,
As quha wald chenge gud gold in leid or tyn ;
The pure is pelit ; the lord may do no mift ;
Now symony is haldin for no syn ; 165
Now is he blyt^ with okir can most wyn ;
Gentreift is slane, and pety is ago ;
allace ! lord god, quhy tholis thow it so ?
Thow tholis this, bot for our grit offens
Thow send/V ws truble and plaigis soir, 1 70
As hungir, derth, wer, and pestilens ;
bot few ame^dw’ )?air lyfe now )>airfoir.
We pure peple, as now may do no moir
Bot pray to the, sen we ar thus opprest
in to ]>is erd, Grant ws in hevin gud rest. 175
Explicit : quod ffif. R. H.
THE WOLFF & pE LAMB . 1
A CREW ALL wolf, revanus and fell,
Vpone a tyme past till a revere
Discending fra a roch out of a well,
To slaik his thrist, drank of J?e watter cleir.
Sa vpone caift a silly lame come neir, 5
Bot of this wolf the lame no thing he wist,
and in the streme lapit to cule his thrist.
1 Title in the margin in a later hand.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE WOLF AND THE LAMB.
299
[bannatyne
Thus drang thay baith, bot nocAt of ane intent ;
The wolffis thocAt wes all in wicketneft ;
The silly lame meik and innocent : 10
Vpone J?e reuir by in ane vdir place,
beneth \>e wolf, he drank in ane littill space,
F. 337 <*• Quhill him thocAt gude, presomyng )?air none ill ;
The wolf this saw, and ra/npand come him till.
W itA gimand teith and angry austre luke, 1 5
said to ]>e lamb : ‘ thow catyve wrechit thing,
how durst thow be so bald to fyle this bruke, 1
quhair I suld drink, wit A thy fowll slauering ?
It wer almouft the for till draw and hing,
That suld presome, witA stinkand lippis will, 20
To hurt my drink, and this fair watted spill. 9
The silly lamb, quakand for verry dreid,
on kneis fell, and said : ‘ fkvfor, witA }our leif,
Suppoift I dar no^t say )?airof $e leid ;
Bot, be my saule, I wait $e can nocAt preife 25
That I did ony thing quhilk suld 30W greif ;
3e wait also 30ur accusatioun
fel^eis fra trewt^, and contrair till ressoun.
‘ ThocAt I can nocAt, nature will me defend,
And of the deid perfyt experience ; 30
all hevi* 2 thing mone of the self discend ;
Bot gif sum thing on forft mak resistence,
Thane may ]>e streme be na wayis mak offens,
Na ryn bakwart : I drank beneth 30W far ;
Ergo, for me $our drink is nevir ]?e war. 35
1 Cf. pp. 194, 195. 2 MS. ‘hevinly.*
Digitized by L^ooQle
300
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
4 Also my lippis, sen }?at I was a lame,
Twichit no thing J?at was contagius ;
Bot sowkit mylk fra pawpis of my dame,
ryckt naturall, sueit, and deliciouft.’
4 Weill,' quod J?e wolf, 4 thy langage outragius
Cunris of kynd ; sa jour fader befoir
held me at bait als mih bost and schoir.
4 He wexit me, and tha n I cowt^ him wame
W/t^in a jeir, and I brukit my heid,
I suld be wrokin on him, or on his bairne,
for his exorbitant and thrawart pleid ;
Thow sail doutles for his deidis be deid.'
‘Sr^/r, it is wrang, ]?at for J ?e faderis gilt
The saikles sone sail pvneist be and spilt.
4 Haif je nocht hard quhat haly scriptour sais,
F. 337 b % Dytit mth ]>e mowth of god almycht?
off his awin deid ilk man salbeir the paift, 1
as pyne for syn, reward for werk/x rycht ;
For my trespaft quhy suld my sone haif plycAt ?
Quha did J?e mift lat thame sustene J?e pane.'
4 3a,' q nod the wolf, 4 3k plyis thow agane ?
4 1 latt J?e wit, quhen ]>e fader offendis,
[I] will cherift none of his successioun ;
and of his bairnis may weill be tane amend/x,
Vnto ]>e nynt degree discending doun.
The fadir thoMt to mak a strang pvsoun,
And witA his mowth in to my wattir spew.'
4 Sc Air, 1 quod ]>e lamb, 4 tha twa ar nowJ?/> trew.
1 Cf. pp. 196, 197.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE WOLF AND THE LAMB.
301
[bannatyne
‘ The law sayis, and $e will vndirsta^d,
Thair suld no ma«, for wrang no[r] violenft, 65
his adu^rsar puneift at his awin hand,
W/t^out pwceft of law in audie^s ;
Quhilk suld haif leif to mak law^full defens,
and J?airvpone suwmond p^remptourly,
for to propone and contra and reply. 70
‘ Set me a lawfull court, I sail cowpeir
befoir J?e lyone, lord and leill iustyft,
and, be my hand, I oblift me ryc/it heir,
That I sail byd ane vnsuspect assy ft.
This is >e way, }ns is J?e iustest wyft ; 75
3e suld proceid )?airfoir ; a summon dis mak
agane J?at day, to gif ressoun and tak.’
‘ Ha ! 9 quod ]>e wolf, * wald thow intruft ressoun,
quhair wrang and reif suld dwell in prop^rte ?
That is a poynt of oppin fals tressoun, 80
For to gar rewth remane wit h crewelte.
Be goddis wondis, fals tratoar, thow sail de,
for thy trespas, and for thy faderis als.’
W ith ]?at amione he hint him be J?e hals.
The silly lame my^t do no thing bot blait ; 85
Sone wes he hedit ; \>e wolf wald do no grace,
Syne drank his blud, and of his flesch ca« eit,
Till he wes fow, syne went away apace,
off ]ris murthowr quhat sail I say, allace ?
F. 338 a . was this no rewth, was this r\oc/it grit pete, 90
To heir 1 this silly lame but gilt thuft de ?
1 Cf. pp. 200, 201.
Digitized by L^ooQle
302
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
Moralitas. The pure peple this lamb may signify,
As malemew, merchandis, and pure lauborer is,
off quhome ]>e lyfe is half a purgotory,
To wyn witA lawty leving as effeiris. 95
The wolf betakywis fals extorceneiris,
and oppressouris of pure mew, as we se,
be violens, be craft, or sutelte.
Thre kynd of wolffis in J?e warld now ringis :
The first ar fals p^rvertaris of ]>e lawis, 100
Quhilk vndir poleit termes falset my^gis,
Leitand )?at all wer gospell that thay schawis ;
Bot for a bud the trew mew he ourthrawis,
Smorand J?e ry^t, garrand }?e wrang proceid :
Off sic wolffis hell fyre salbe )>air meid. 105
1 Ane v]?ir kynd of wolffis revanus
ar mychty mew, haifand a«nwch plente,
quhilk ar so gredy and so cowetuft,
Thay will nocAt thoill in peax ane pure maw be;
Suppoift J>at he and his houshald suld de no
for fait of fude, J>airof thay gif no rak,
Bot our his heid his maling thay will tak.
O maw ! but m*rcy, quhat is in thy tho^fct,
War tha« a wolf, and thow cowth vndirsta#d ?
Thow hes e«nwch ; the pure husband hes no^t 1 1 5
bot cote and cruse vpone a clout of land,
for godis aw, how dar thow tak on hand,
and thow in berne and byre so bene and big,
To put him fra his tak and gar him thig ?
1 The order of the third, fourth, and fifth stanzas of the ‘Moralitas* differs
from that in the Charteris and Harleian texts. See pp. 200-203.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE WOLF AND THE LAMB.
303
[bannatyne
O man of law ! lat be thy sutelte, 1 20
With nyft iympis and frawdis interkat,
And think ]?at god of his diuinite
The wrang, the rycht of all thy werkis wate :
For preyer, pryce, for he no[r] law estait,
of fals querrell se thow mak no defenft; 125
Hald wit h the ry^t, hurt nocht thy conscience.
The thrid wolf is men of heretege,
F.338^. As lordis J?at hes landis be godis lane,
And settis to ]>e maillairis a willage,
For prayer, pryce, and the gersum tane ; 130
Syne vexis him, or half the terme be gane,
With pykit querrelliV, for to mak him fane
To flitt, or pay the girsum new agane.
His horft, his meir, he mone 1 e« to J?e laird,
To drug and draw in cairt and cariege ; 135
his ft/rvand or him self may nocht be spard
To swynk or sueit, w/bfcouttin meit or wage.
Lo as he standis in lawbour and boundage,
That skantly may he purcheft by his maill,
To leif vpone dry breid and wattir kaill. 140
Hes thow no rewt^ to gar thy ten newt sueit
In to ]>i lawbour, full faynt with hungry wame,
And syne hes littill gude to drink or eit,
or his mew^e at evin quhew he cuw/is hame ?
Thow suld be rad for rychtous god/> blame ; 145
For it cryis vengeawce to )?e hevin so he,
To gar a pure maw wirk but meit or fe.
Digitized by L^ooQle
304
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
0 thow grit lord, J?at hes riches and rent,
Be nocht a wolf, thus to devoir J?e pure ;
Think >at no thing crewall nor violent 150
May in this warld perpetualy indure :
This is a sentens suth I 30W assure,
For till oppreft thow sail haif als grit pane
as thow the pure anis with thy hand had slane.
G OD keip ]>e lame, J>at is the innocent 155
Fra wolffis byt, I mene extorceneiris ;
God grant )?at wrangus men of fals intent
Be manifest, and pvneist as effeiris.
And god, as thow all rychtous prayer heiris,
mot saif our king, and gif him hairt and hand 160
all sic wolffis to be«neift of this land.
Explicit: quodmf. R. H.
THE LYON & THE MOUSS. 1
I N myddis of Iune, )?at ioly sueit sessoun,
Quhen }?at fair phebus with his bemis brvcht
F. 339 a . Had dryit vp ]>e dew fra daill and doun,
And all the land maid with his lemys \ycht ;
In a mornyng, betuix midday and nycht, 5
I raift and put all slewth and sleip on syd ;
Ontill a wod I went all one but gyd.
1 Title in the margin in a later hand*
Digitized by L^OOQle
THE LION AND THE MOUSE (PROLOGUE). 305
[bannatyne
Sueit wes the smell of floor is quhyt and reid,
The noyis of birdis ry^t delicius,
The bewis bred blwmyt abone my heid, 10
The grund growand with greft gratius ;
Off all plesans that place wes plenteus,
With sueit odour and birdfr armony,
The momyng myld : my mirth wes mair for thy.
The roisft reid arreyit rone and ryft, 1 5
The prumroft and the purpour viola ;
To heir it was a poynt of paradyft,
Sic myrth the mavift and the merle cowt h ma.
The blosuwmis blyt^ brak vp on bank and bra,
The smell of herbis and of fowlis cry 20
Contending quha suld haif }>e victory.
Me to conserf tha n fra the son is heit,
Vndir the schaddow of an awthome grene,
I lenyt doun amangis the flouris sueit,
Syne maid a corft, and closit baith myne ene. 2 5
On sleip I fell amang the bewis bene,
And in my dreme me thocht come throw )>e schaw
The fairest ma# befoir hat evir I saw.
His gown wes of a claitA als quhyt as mylk ;
His chywmeris wer of chamelet purpour broun ; 30
His hude of skarlet, bordowrit with silk,
In hekle wyft vntill his girdill doun ;
His bonat round wes of J>e auld fassoun ;
His heid was quhyt ; his ene wes grene and gray,
With lokar hair quhilk our his schulderis lay. 35
VOL. 11. u
Digitized by L^ooQle
30 6
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
A row of paper in his hand he bair ;
A swa#nis pen stickand vndir his eir ;
Ane ynkhome, with a pretty gilt pennair,
A bag of silk, all at his belt he weir :
Thus wes he gudly grathit in his geir. 40
Of stature lerge, and with a feirfull face :
Evin quhair I lay he come a sturdy pace,
F. 339 b. And said, 4 god speid my sone ; * and I wes fane
off ]?at cowth word, and of his cuwpany ;
With reuerence I salust him agane, 45
‘Welcum, fader;* and he sat doun me by.
4 Displeift pw nocht, my gud maistfr, thocht I
Demand pur birth, pur faculty, and name,
quhy p come heir, or quhair p dwell at hame.*
4 My sone,* said he, 4 1 am of gentill blude ; 50
My natall land is rome w/hfcowttin nay ;
And in J?at toun first to J?e scoullw pde,
And science studeit mony a day ;
And now my winnywg is in hevin for ay :
Isope I hecht ; my wrytin and my werk 55
Is cowth and kend to mony cu^nand clerk.*
4 O maistir ysop, poet lawreat,
God wait, p ar full deir welcum to me ;
ar 3e nocht he }>at all thir fabill/j* wrate,
quhilk in effect, suppoift thay fenpit be, 60
ar full of prowdens and moralite ? *
4 Fair sone,’ said he, 4 1 am J?at samyne man.*
God wait, gif J?at my hairt wes mirry than.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE LION AND THE MOUSE.
307
[bannatyne
I said, ‘ Isop, my maister venerable,
I 30W beseik hairtly for cherite, 65
wald dedene to tell a pretty feble,
concludand mih a gud moralitie.*
schakand his heid, he said, ‘ my sone, lat be,
for quhat is worth to tell a fen^eit taill,
quhe# haill preching may nothing now awaill? 70
‘ Now in this warld, me think, xycht few or nane
Till godis word >at hes deuotioun ;
The eir is deiff, the hairt is hard as stane,
Now oppin syn w/t^out correctioun,
The E inclynand to ]?e erd ay doun ; 75
Swa rowstit is ]?e warld with kanker blak,
That my taillis may littill succour mak. ?
‘ 3it, ge# till kchirl said I, ‘ for my requeist,
nocht till displeift }our fadirheid, I pray,
vndir J?e figure of sum brutall beist, 80
a morall fable ^e wald dedene to say :
F. 340a. Quha wate nor I may leir and beir away
Sum thing J?airby heireftir may awaill ? *
‘ I grant/ quod he, and thus begowt/£ a taill.
A LYONE AT HIS pray wery for ron, 85
To recreat his lymis and to rest,
Bekand his breist and belly at }?e son,
Vndir a tre lay in J?e fair forrest ;
Sua come a trip of myft out of ]?air nest,
Rycht tait and trig, all dansand in a gyft, 90
and our ]>e lyone lansit twyft or thryft.
Digitized by L^ooQle
308
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
He lay so still, J?e myft wes noMt afferd,
bot to and fra attour him take }?air traift ;
Sum tirlyt at ]>e campis of his berd,
Sum sparit no^t to claw him on }>e faift ; 95
myrry and glaid thus dan sit thay a spaift,
quhill at ]>e last ]>e noble lyoun wouk,
and witfi his pow ]>e msdster mowfi he tuke.
Scho gaif a cry, and all ]>e laif agast
their dansing left, and hid ]?ame heir & thair ; 100
Scho J>at wes tane cryit and weipit fast,
and said, 4 allaift ! for now and evir mair,
Now am I tane a wofull presonair,
and for my gilt trestis incontinent
of lyfe and deth to thoill J?e iugement.* 105
Thane spak }>e lyone to J?at cairfull mouft :
* Thow catyve wreche, and wyle vnworthy thing,
Our malapart and our presumpteuus
Thow was, to mak our me thyne tripping.
Knew thow nocht weill I wes baith lord and king 1 10
of all beistis ? 1 4 ^is,* quod J?e mouft, 4 1 knaw ;
Bot I misknew, becauft $e lay so law.
4 Lord ! I beseik thy kingly ryalte,
heir quhat I say, and tak in patience ;
Considdir first my semple pouerte, 115
and syne thy michty he magnificens ;
Se als how 1 thingis done by negligence,
Nor^t of malyft nor of promissioun,
ever suld haif grace and remissioun.
1 MS. ‘fow.*
Digitized by L^OOQle
THE LION AND THE MOUSE.
309
[bannatyne
‘ We wer repleit and had grit haboundaz/ce 120
off alkyn fude, sic as till ws affeird ;
The sueit sessoun prowokit ws to dans,
and mak sic mirth as nature to ws leird.
F.340A 3 e lay so still and law vpone >e erd
That, be my saule, we wend ^e had bene deid, 125
ellis wald we noc/it dansit our ^our heid/
‘Thy fals excuft,’ the lyoun said agane,
‘ Sail nor^t awaill a myt, I vndirta ;
I put ]>e caift, I had bene deid or slane,
and syne my skin bene stoppit full of stra, 130
Hhocht thow had fund my figour lyand swa,
Becaus it bair }>e prent of my persoun,
Thow suld for dreid on kneis haif fallin doun.
‘ For thy trespas thow ca« mak na defens,
my noble persoun thus to vilipend ; 135
of thy fe[i]rft, nor thyne awin negligees,
for till excuft, thow ca« no cauft pretend ;
Thairfoir thow suffer sail a schamefull end,
and deid, sic as to tressoun is decryit,
Onto the gallowft hangit be ]?e feit.* 140
1 A m*rcy ! lord, at thy gentrice I aft,
as thow art king of beistis corronat,
Sobir thy wreth and lat \\ yre ourpaft,
and mak thy mynd to m<?rcy inclinat.
I grant offens is done to thyne estait, 145
Thairfoir I wirdy am to suffer deid,
Bot gife thy kingly m^rcy reik remeid.
Digitized by L^ooQle
3io
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
* In every iuge mercy and rewtfc suld be
as assessowr/V, and collaterall ;
W/tAout mercy iustice is crewelte, 150
as said is in }>e lawis spirituall :
quh tn rigour sittis in ]>e tribunall,
The equety of law quha may sustene ?
ryr^t few or nane, bot m^rcy go betuene.
‘Also $e knaw ]>e honor trivmphall 155
Off all wictor vpone ]?e strenth depends
Of his compeir, quhilk ma#ly in battell
Throw iuperdy of armes lang defend/^.
Quhat p rice or lowing, quhe« ]>e battell endis,
Is said of him }>at ourcuwis a ma n, 160
Him to defend }>at nowdir may no[r] can ?
‘ A thowsand myft to keill, and eik devoir,
Is littill ma^heid vntill a strong lyoun ;
F. 341 a. Full littill wirschep haif $e won }>airfoir,
To quhois strenth is no comparesoun : 165
It will degraid sum patrte of $our renoun
Till slay a mowfi, quhilk may mak no defens,
Bot askand mercy at 3our excellens.
‘ Also it semys [nocht] to $our celcitud,
quhilk vsis daylie meitis delicius, 170
To fyle ^our teith or lippis my blude,
quhilk to $our stomok is co«tagius :
Vnhelsum meit is of a sary mouft,
And namely till 3, noble stra«g lyoun,
Wont to be fed w/t^ gentill venysoun. 175
Digitized by L^OOQle
THE LION AND THE MOUSE.
311
[bannatyne
‘ My lyfe is littill and my deid far left,
3it and I leif, I may, perauentour,
Supple ^our hienes, leand in distreft ;
for oft is sene a small man of stature
reskewit hes a lord of his 1 honour, 180
Keipit ]?at was in poynt to be ourthrawin
Throw misfortoun : sic caift may be %our awin.'
Quhe« ]?is wes said, the lyone his langege
pasit, and thoc/it accordit till ressoun,
and gart mercy his ere well yre assuege, 185
and to ]?e mouft grantit remissioun ;
oppywnit his pow, and scho on kneis fell doun,
and baith hir handis vnto ]>e hevin vpheld,
Cryand, ‘ almychty god mot $ow ^eld ! *
Quhe« scho wes gone, the lyone }eid to hunt, 190
for he had noc>fct, bot levit on his pray,
and slew baith tame and wyld, as he wes wunt,
and in J>e cuntre maid a grit dirray ;
Till at >e last ]>e peple fand }>e way
This crewall lyone how }>at thay micht him tak : 195
Off hempin coirdw strang nettis cowt^ thay mak.
And in a rod, quhair he wes wont to rin,
WttA rapis rude fra tre to tre it band ;
Syne kest a raing on raw the wod w/'t^in,
Wit/i homis blast, and canettis fast calland. 200
The lyone fled, and, throw ]>e rone ry«na«d,
fell in ]>e net, and ha«kit fute and heid ;
for all his strenth he cowt^ mak no remeid.
1 See pp. no, hi.
Digitized by L^ooQle
312
THE FABLES.
bannatyne]
Voluand about mxk hiddouft rowmissing,
F.341A Quhyle to, quhyle fro, gif he vnycht succour get;
Bot all in vane, }>at vel3eit him no thing ;
The moir he flang the fastir wes he knet 1 ;
The rapis rude was so about him plet,
On every syd, ]?at succour saw he non ;
Bot still lyand thus mumawd maid his mone.
* O lamit lyoun, liggand heir so law,
quhair is the mychl of thy magnificens,
Off quhome all brutall beist in erd stud aw,
and dred to luke vnto thy grit excelled ?
But howp or help, but succour or defens,
In bandis strong heir mone I byd, allace !
Till I be slane, I se non v>ir grace.
‘Thair is no ioy >at will my harmis wraik,
Nor creatur do confort to my croun.
Quhay sail me bute ? quhay sail thir bandw breik ?
Quha sail me put fra pane of this presoun ? *
Be he had maid his lamewtatioun,
Throw avintur the littill mowft come neir,
and of the lyone hard the petows beir.
And suddanly it come in till hir mynd
]?at it suld be the lyone did hir grace,
and said, ‘ now wer I fals and xycht vnkynd,
Bot gife I quit sump^/Vte thy gentilnes
thow did to me : * and on mih J>at scho gais
till hir fallowis, and on thame fast ca n cry,
‘ Cum help, cum help ! * and thay come on in hy.
1 Cf. pp. 1 12, 1 13.
Digitized by
Google
205
210
215
220
225
230
THE LION AND THE MOUSE.
313
[bannatyne
1 Lo ! * quod the mouft, ‘ this is ]?e same lyone
quhilk gave me grace quhen >at 1 I wes tane ;
and now is fast heir bundin in presone,
Wrekand his hurt w ith sair murnywg and mane ; 235
Bot we him help, of supple wait he nane ;
Cum help to quyt a gud tume for a no]?ir,
Go, lowft him sone.’ And thay said, * 3 e > gud brujar.*
Thay tuke no knyfe, thair teith wes scherp e^nwch.
To se ]?at sicht, forsuth it wes grit wondir, 240
how ]?at thay ra n amangis }>e raipis twche,
Befoir, behind, sum 3eid abone, sum vndir,
and schure ]>e raipis of the mastis in schwndir ;
Syne bad him ryft ; and he stert vp a«none,
And thankit thame ; syne on his wayis is gone. 245
F. 342 a. Now is the lyone fre of all dengeir,
Lowft and deliuerit till his libertie,
Be littill beistis of small poweir,
as $e haif hard, becaus he had pete.
quod I, * maister , is thair a moralite 250
In J>is fable?' * 3 a > sone,' said he, ‘rycht gude.' —
* I pray 30W, fkfcr,’ quod I, * 3 e wald conclud.'
Moralitas.
AS I suppoift, this mychty gay lyoun
-/jL may signify a prince, or empriour,
a potestat, or 3k a king with croun,
quhilk suld be walkryfe gyd and gouirnozn:
of his peple, and takis no lawbour
To rewll nor steir ]?e land, nor iustice keip,
Bot lyis still in lustis, slewt^, and sleip.
1 MS. ‘ ]>at at I. *
255
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE FABLES.
3H
bannatyne]
260
265
Thir littill myft ar bot ] ?e co/rcraonte,
Wantone, vnwyft, w/t^out correctioun :
Thir lordis and princis quhen ]>at thay se
ofiustice makis non executioun, 270
Thay dreid no thing to mak rebellioun,
and disobey 1 ; for quhy thay stand none aw,
That gavis thame thair soveranis to misknaw.
Be this fable ^e lordis of prudens
may concidder the vertew of pete ;
and to remyt sum tyme a grit offens,
and metigat m*rcy wit/i crewelty :
oft tyme is sene a man of small degre
hes quyt a cowmoun, baith for gude and ill,
as lord is has done rigour, or grace him till.
Quha wait how sone a lord of greit renoun,
rolland in warldly lust and vane plesand/V,
may be ourthrawin, distroyit, or put doun
Throw fals fortoun, quhilk of all varians
F.342^. Is haill maistres, and leder of >e dans 285
Till lusty me«, and bindis thame so soir,
That thay no p^nrell can provyd befoir.
1 MS. ‘discobey.*
275
280
The fair forrest mU levis loun and le,
Wit h fowlis song, and flouris ferly sueit,
Is bot the warld and his prosperite,
as fals plesandis myngit with cair repleit.
Ryc^t as the roft w/Lfc frost and wintir weit
faidis, so dois J?e warld, and thame dissavis
quhilk in }>air lust confidens havis.
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE LION AND THE MOUSE.
315
[bannatyne
Thir crewall men, ]>at stentit hes the nett,
In quhilk ]>e lyone suddanely wes tane,
Waitit alway amend/V for till get, 290
For hurte men wrytis in the marble stane.
moir till expone as now I latt allane,
Bot king and lord may weill wit quhat I mene ;
Fegour heirof oftymis hes bene sene.
Quhen this was sayid, quod Isope, ‘ my fair chyld, 295
perswaid the kirkme# ythandly to pray
That tressone of this cuntre be exyld,
And iustice ring, and lordis keip thair fey
Vnto }>air souerane lord, both nyc/it and day.*
And with ]?at word he vaneist, and I woik ; 300
Syne throw J>e schaw my iumey hamewart tuke.
Explicit : quod rnr. R. Henrysone.
Digitized by L^ooQle
Digitized by
GoogI
ASLOAN TEXT
(CHALMERS TRANSCRIPT)
Digitized by
Digitized by
[asloan-chalmers
Heir begynnes the tale of ]>e wplandw mouft
and ]>e borowstoun mouft.
I SOPE, myn auctor, makts mencioun
Off twa myft, and ]?ai war sister is deir,
Off whom ]>e eldar in a borowstoun,
The youngar wownyt apon land, wele neir,
Richt solitar, quhile wnder buske and brer, 5
Quhill in ]?e come, an u \ir me«nis scaitfc,
As outlawis dois, and levit on hir waitfc.
This rurall mouft in to J?e wynter tyde
Had hunger, cauld, and tholit gret distreft.
The to \ir mouft into ]>e burgh couth byde, 10
Gild bro \er was and maid ane fre burgeft ;
Tol fre also, but custome mar or left,
And licence had to gang quhar ev/> scho list,
Amang )?e cheift and meile in ark and kist.
A tyme quhen scho was ful and wnfu[t] sair, 15
Scho tuke in mynd hir sister wp^land,
And langit sar 1 to heir of hir welfair,
To se quhat lyf scho led wnd/> ]>e wand :
Bairfut, allone, with pykestaf in hir hand,
As pur pilgryme scho passit owt of toune, 20
To seike hir sister baith out daile and doune.
1 Cf. pp. 14, 15.
Digitized by L^ooQle
320
THE FABLES.
ASLOAN-CHALMERS]
Throwe mony wilsome wayis couth scho walk,
Throw mure [&] moft, throw banke, busk, & brer,
Cryand on hir fra balk to balk,
‘Cum furth to me, my awne swet sister deir ; 25
Cry pepe anys ! , mth J>at ]>e mouft couth heir,
And knewe hir woce, as kywnis men will do,
Be w^rray kynd ; and furth scho come hir to.
The hartlie cheir, lord god ! gif 3e had sene,
Was kythit quhen J?ir sister/x twa war met ; 30
The welcuwmyng was schawin thaim betwene,
For quhilis ]?ai leuch, and quhylis for ioye J»ai grete,
Quhilis kissit sweit, and quhilis in armes plete ;
And ]>us ]?ai fure, quhill soberit was \air mude,
Syne fute for fut unto \air chalmer }ude. 35
As I hard say, it was a semple wane,
Off fog and fame full misterlyk war maid,
Ane sely scheld wnd ir ane erdfast stane,
Of quhilk J?e entre was nocht hie nor braide ;
In J>ai went samy« but more abaid, 40
Withoutin fyre or candill bimand bricht,
For commonly sic pykar/x lu Us no licht.
Quhen J>ai war lugit ]ms, J?e sely myse,
The youngast sister unto ]>e buttry hyid,
Brocht furth nut is and peift wsteid of spyft ; 45
Gif ]?ar was weilefar, I dud on )>a.\m besyde.
This burgeft mouft prompit furth in pryde,
And said, 4 sister, is ]>is }our daly fude ? ’
* Quhy nocAt ? ’ quod sche, ‘ think $e J>is meit noc/it gud ? ’
Digitized by LjOOQle
THE TWO MICE.
321
[asloan-chalmers
‘ Nay, be my saull, I think it bot a scome/ 50
‘ Madame/ quod sche, * }e be pe more to blame ;
My moder said, eftzr pat we war borne,
That ^e and I lay baith in till a wame ;
I kepe ye ryte and custome of my dame,
And off my syre liffand in powerte, 55
For land is haf we nane in prop^rte/
‘ My faire sister/ quod scho, ‘ hald me excusit,
This rude diet and I can nocAt accord ;
Till tender meit my stomoke ay is usit.
For quhy I fair alswele as ony lord ; 60
Thir rude nuittw and peft, or }>ai be bord,
Will brek my teith, and mak my wame full sklend^r,
Quhilk usit is befor witA metis tender/
‘ Weile, weile, sister/ quod pe rurale mouft,
‘ Gif it 30W pleift sic thing as $e se heir, 65
Baith meit and drink, herbery and houft,
3e sail it have, will $e remane all yeir.;
With richt gud will, baith blyth and hartlie cher,
And >at suld mak pe mac is pat ar rude,
Amang frend/j, baith tendzr, sweit and gud. 70
‘ Quhat plesans is in fastis delicate,
The quhilk ar gevin with a glowmand browe ?
A gentill hart is better recreate
With blyth wisage, )?an set till him a cow ;
A modicum is fer mair till allowe, 75
Sa at gud will be carvozzr at pe deft,
Than thrawin wult w ith mony spycit meise/
VOL. 11. x
Digitized by L^ooQle
322
THE FABLES.
ASLOAN-CHALMERS]
For all ]?is mery exhortacioun,
The burgeft mouft had litill will to syng,
Bot hevely scho kest hir browis doun, 80
For all >e dantes \at scho couth till hir bring.
3it at J?e last scho said, half in hething,
1 Sister, ]>is wittale and ]?is riall feste
May weile suffyft for sic a rurale best.
1 Lat be J>is hole, and cum unto my place ; 85
I sail 30W schawe, be trewe expmens,
My gudfryday is better na jour paft ;
My dische liking/> is worth }our hale expenft.
Housft ynewe I have a gret defence ;
Of cat, na trape, na fall, I haf na dreid/ 90
* I grant/ quod scho, and on togidd^r 3eid.
In stowthry ay throw rankest gerft & come,
Wnder cowert full prevely couth crepe,
The eldest mouft was gyde & ^eid beforne,
The ^oungar till hir wayis tuk gud kepe. 95
On nyc^t ]?ai ran, and on ]?e day }?ai slepe ;
Till in >e mornyng, or ]>e lavm>k sang,
Thai fande ]?e toune, and in gladly can gang.
NocAt fer fra ]>is unto a worthy wane,
The burgeft brocht }?ai m syne quhar ]?ai suld be ; 100
In till ane innes )>at'r herbery was tane,
Intill a spence witk wittale gret plente ;
Cheift and butt er apon* skelf/V hie,
Flesche and fische yneucfc, batfc fresche & salt,
And sek/> full of grot/V, meile, and malt. 105
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE TWO MICE.
323
[asloan-chalmers
Eftir quhen J>ai disposit war to dyne,
Withoutin grace }?ai wesche and went to meit,
All kynd of courssis pat cukis couth devyne,
Mutoune and beif strikin in taljeis grete ;
A lord/V fair Jms can pai counterfeit, no
Except a thing, pai drank pe watt/r cleir
In steid of wyne, bot 3k pai maid gud cher.
With blyth wpcast and mery countenance,
The eldest sister sperit at hir gest
Gif pat scho thoMt be ressoun differens 1 15
Betuix hir chalmer and hir sary nest.
‘Ye, dame,* quod scho, ‘how lang now will pis lest?'
‘ Evirmor, I wait, and langer to.’
‘ Gif it sa be, ^e ar at eift,’ quod scho.
1 Thus maid pa.i mery quhile pa.i micht na mar, 120
And, ‘ haile 3 ule, haile ! 1 pai cryit apon hie.
Eftir ioye ofttymes cu^mis cair,
And truble eftir gret prosperite.
Thus as J?ai sat in all pair iolyte, 2
So come pe spensar mth keyis in till hand, 125
Opi«nit pe dure, and paim at dyner fand.
Thai taryit nockt to wesche, as I suppoft,
Bot unto go quha micht formast wyne.
The burgeft had a hole, and in scho gois ;
Hir sister had no hole to hyde hir in : 130
To se J?is sely mouft it was gret syn,
So desolate and will of a gud reid ;
For werray dreid sche fell in swoun ner deid.
1 A stanza is here omitted. See pp. 22, 23, 288.
2 Transcript, ‘ Jolyse.’
Digitized by L^ooQle
324
THE FABLES.
ASLOAN-CHALMERS]
Bot as god wald, it fell a happy caft ;
The spensar had na laser for to byd, 135
To serft, to seike, to char, nor $it to chase,
Bot on he went, and left J?e dure wp wyde.
This bald burgeft his passage wele has spyid ;
Out of hir hoile scho come and cryit on hie,
‘ How, fair Sister ! cry pepe, quhar ever %e be.* 140
This rurale mouft lay flatling/V on \>e ground,
And for ]>e deid full sore scho was dredand,
For till hir hart straike mony wilsome 1 stound,
As in a fever trymblit fut and hand ;
Quhen sche hir sister in to sic piyte fande, 145
For werray pete scho began to grete,
Syne comfort hir with word*? hony sweit.
‘ Quhy ly $e sa ? ryft wp, my sister deir ;
Cum to %our meit, J?is p^ell is our past/
The to ]>ir answerd with a hevy cheir, 1 50
* 1 may no^t eit, I am so sair agast ;
I had lever ]?ir xl dayis haf fast,
With watter caile, and gnawe benes and peift,
Than all this fest in ]?is dreid and diseift/
With fair trety }it scho gart hir ryft, 155
And unto burd togiddir baith ]?ai sat ;
Scantlie had J>ai drunkin anys or twyft,
Quhen in come gib huntar, oux ioly cat,
And bad god speid : ]>e burgeft wp with J?at ;
In at hir hole scho fled as fyre of flynt : 160
Baldmmis ]>e to \ir be ]>e bak has hynt.
1 Cf. pp. 24, 25, 289.
Digitized by LjOOQle
THE TWO MICE.
325
[asloan-chalmers
Fra fut to fut scho 1 kest hir to and fra,
Quhile wpe, quhile doune, alB tait as ony kid ;
Quhilis wald scho 1 lat hir ryn wnd er pe stra,
Quhilis wald scho 1 wynke, and play with hir bukhed. 165
Thus to pe sely mouft gret pane scho 1 did,
Till at pe last, throw fair fortoune and hap,
Betwene pe dosor 2 and pe wall scho crap.
Syne wp in haist behynd pe p^rrelling
So hie scho clame, pat gilbert my^t nocht get hir, 170
And be pe clukfx richt craftely can hyng,
Till he was gone, hir cher was all pe bett ir.
Syne doune scho come quhe« pair was nane to let hir,
Apon pe burgeft mouft loude couth sho cry :
‘ Fair wele, sister, pi feist heir I defy ! 175
* Thy managery is mengit all with cair,
Thy guft is gud, thi ganesall sowr as gall ;
The suchardw 8 of Jn ftervice is bot sair,
Sa sail pou fynd herefterwart may fall.
I thank }one courting and ^one parpell wall 180
Off my defence now fra ^one cruell best.
Allmy^ti god, kepe me fra sic ane fest !
‘ War I anys in pe kith pat I come fra,
For weile and wa I suld nevir cum agane.’
With pat scho tuke hir leif and furth can ga, 185
Quhylis throw pe come, and quhilis thro pe plane ;
Quhen scho was furth & fre, scho was full fane,
And merely scho m^rkit unto pe mur :
I can nocht tell how eftirwart scho fure.
1 See p. 289 (note). a Cf. p. 289. 8 See p. 290.
Digitized by L^ooQle
326
THE FABLES.
ASLOAN-CHALMERS]
Bot I herd saye scho passit till hir den, 190
Alft warme in woll, suppoft it was noc/it grete,
Alft benely stuffit, baith but and ben,
Of nutis, peft, benes, ry, and quheit ;
Quhen evir scho list, scho had yneuch till eit,
In quyet and eift, withoutin dreid : 195
Bot till hir sisters fest no mor scho ^eid.
Moralitas.
Frendw, heir may $e fynd, quhill ^e tak hed,
In }ris fabill ane gud moralite ;
As fitchis mengit ar with noble seid,
Sa intermellit is adv^rsite 200
With erdlie ioyis ; so }?at no stat is 1 fre,
Without truble or sum wexacioun :
And namlie ]?ai qu^ilk clywmis wp most hie,
And nocfa content of small possessioun.
Blissit be sympill lyf withoutin dreid ; 205
Blissit be sobir feist and quiete :
Quho has yneugh, of no mor has he neid,
Pocht it be litill in to qua«tite.
Gret haboundans and blynd prosperite
Oft tymes mak/V ane evill conclusioun; 210
Tharfor best thing in erd, I say, for me,
Is mery hart mtA small possessioun.
O wantoun man, quhilk usis for to feid
Thy wame, and mak/V it a god to be,
Luke to ]>i self; I warne ]>e wele, on deid, 215
The cat cuwmis ; unto J?e mouft as E :
Quhat is avale ]>i feist in rialte,
With dreidful hart and tribulacioun ?
Tharfor best thing in erd, I saye, for me,
Is sikerneft, with small possessioun. 220
1 Transcript, ‘statfr.’
j
Digitized by L^ooQle
THE TWO MICE.
327
[asloan-chalmers
Thy awne fyre, frende, \ocht it be bot a gleid,
It warmis weile, and is worth gold to ]?e ;
As salamon sayis, and ]>o\i will it reid,
1 Wnder ]>e hevin I can nocht better se,
Than ay be blyth and lif in quiete.* 225
Quharfor I may conclude be ]>is ressoun :
Off erdly ioye it ben's ma c t degre,
Blythneft in hert, with small possessioun.
Heir end is of ]>e twa myfi.
END OF THE SECOND VOLUME.
Digitized by L^ooQle
PRINTED BY WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS.
Digitized by
Digitized by
Digitized by
Google
Digitized by L^ooQle
Digitized by L^ooQle
Live Music
Archive
Librivox
Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland
Museum of Art
Internet
Arcade
Console Living Room
Open Library
American
Libraries
TV News
Understanding
9/11